How to Plant Decorative Pumpkins

Chose a pumpkin cultivar to grow. The decision on what to grow is up to you, based on the size and shape that you desire. The Autumn Gold is a traditional Halloween-style pumpkin that is recommended by most horticulturists for its ease in growing, but there are many other varieties of pumpkins that you can also grow if you want smaller or larger pumpkins. For example the Baby Boo pumpkin is a white pumpkin that weighs less than 1 lb., whereas the Prizewinner is a hybrid that can grow up to 100 pounds. Rouge Vif d'Estampes is a deep orange, lobed, slightly flat pumpkin commonly sold as a Cinderella pumpkin for its likeness to the one used for the fairytale princess' carriage.

Plant your pumpkins seeds when there is no longer any danger of frost in your landscape. This will ensure that the seeds will germinate properly. You should also select a location in your garden that will receive full sunshine.

Form small hills approximately 1 foot high and 3 feet in diameter. Form the hills every 3 feet in rows that are 5 feet apart from each other.

Plant five seeds 1 inch deep into each hill. When the seedlings form, remove all but one or two of the healthiest-looking seedlings from each hill.

Touch the soil with your fingers every few days. If the soil feels dry to the touch, then you can water the hills. This should only be the case during extended periods of drought. Otherwise, spring rain should be sufficient to keep the pumpkins irrigated. If you live in a dry climate, you will need to water more frequently, but always avoid overwatering or flooding the soil.

Harvest the pumpkins when they are firm and the color that you desire and their rind is hard. This should be sometime in the fall, depending on when you started the seeds and the cultivar you are growing. Cut from the vine with a sharp knife to avoid snapping the stem.