How to Grow Pumpkin Vines for a Backyard Hideaway

Measure a 4-foot diameter circle in the garden. Select a location that receives at least eight hours of sunlight daily. Remove the grass and vegetation in an 18-inch wide band around the circle’s outer perimeter.

Arrange the tree poles equidistant around the planting bed’s inside perimeter. Dig a posthole for each pole at least 12 inches deep. Place each post into the soil at an angle so they meet in the center like a tepee. Lash the poles together at the top, winding the rope securely around each pole. Backfill the post holes and firmly tamp the soil.

Wrap chicken wire around the trellis, leaving an opening to enter and leave the tepee. Use wire cutters to cut the wire to fit. Fold the edges of the wire under and staple it securely around the opening, placing a staple every 6 inches on each post.

Adding zip ties at intervals wrapping through the wire and around the poles further secures the wire. If you use two rows of chicken wire covering the trellis, use zip ties every 6 inches to tie the chicken wire together.

Add 4 inches of compost to the planting bed and dig into the soil.

Pull the garden soil into mounds every 2 feet around the trellis. Plant four seeds in the top of each mound. Cover the seeds with 1 inch of soil and water the mound thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout, and then irrigate when the top of the soil is dry.

Add 3 inches of mulch to the garden bed. Do not cover the tops of the mounds where the seeds are planted.

Train the pumpkin vines up the trellis. Trim the vines as needed inside and around the trellis opening.

Monitor the pumpkin vines for pests, such as cucumber beetles and squash bugs. Remove by hand and drop into a bucket of soapy water. Pour the water on the compost pile.

Harvest the pumpkins when they are ripe. Wear gloves and use anvil pruners to cut the vine, leaving a 4- to 6-inch handle on each pumpkin. Store the pumpkins in a dry location at 50 degrees Fahrenheit.