How to Grow a Small Pumpkin in a Pot

Select a large container that holds at least 5 gallons of soil. Large tubs, whiskey barrels or half-barrels are good choices. Any material is fine, but the container must have at least four or five drainage holes in the bottom.

Placing a mesh screen or landscape cloth in the container’s bottom of the container prevents potting mixture from washing through the drainage holes.

Fill the container with a good-quality commercial potting mixture. Look for a potting mixture containing materials such as compost and peat moss. A potting mixture with vermiculite or perlite retains moisture.

Incorporate a time-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time. Apply the fertilizer according to the specifications on the package. Withhold the fertilizer if the potting soil package indicates fertilizer is already mixed into the soil.

Plant four or five pumpkin seeds in the container’s center. Cover the seeds with about 1 inch of potting mixture.

Check the soil for moisture daily by inserting your finger into the top inch. If the top inch is dry, irrigate the soil until water runs through the drainage holes. Pumpkins may require water twice daily during hot summer weather.