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Q about pumpkins

veronica320's picture

Q about pumpkins (post #12592)

veronica320 on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 00:02
in

What happens if pumpkins aren't grown on mounds? I ask because some plants popped up nearby last month and I decided to keep them. A first for me. I dug furrows to allow rooting along each main stem, and so far, so good. But pumpkin-growing stuff generally refers to mounds. That's all I know, plus steady food & water, and to prop up fruit to prevent rot. They're not too far along, so I could "retrofit" mounds, if that's essential.
Thank you.

-A +A
1946's picture

(post #12592, reply #1 of 6)

by 1946 in reply to veronica320 [original] on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 03:10

Speaking strictly for myself, I have never grown pumpkins on "mounds", and I have seen huge pumpkin fields full of pumpkins with nary a mound to be seen. I think your plants will be just fine without worrying about mounds.

veronica320's picture

(post #12592, reply #2 of 6)

by veronica320 in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 16:27

I asked around at a farmer's market last night and was told the mounds help with water because of the berms below. I wouldn't have worried too much but it's good to know they can be moundless and happy.
Thanks.

arkriver's picture

(post #12592, reply #3 of 6)

by arkriver in reply to veronica320 [original] on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 18:23

Popped Up???? If you planted the seeds OK, but if they came up from last yrs seeds you may have a problem. Squash, pumpkins cross pollinate very easy and you can get some weird combos --- pumpchinni? It is best to not save seeds of the squash family...

veronica320's picture

(post #12592, reply #6 of 6)

by veronica320 in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 23:53

Popped up indeed. In my compost bin. The only squash family remains in there were cantaloupe and pumpkin and the seed still clinging to the seedling was far too large for cantaloupe. I have four plants going, all with 5' single stems, all in bloom, all healthy-appearing. Since this is a first for me, I guess I'll be happy with anything. I just want to give it a good shot since they're off & running.


Edited 7/24/2009 12:39 pm by veronica320

Astrid's picture

(post #12592, reply #4 of 6)

by Astrid in reply to veronica320 [original] on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 19:40

If they aren't all "true" pumpkins they might really make some really cool Halloween lanterns.
The mound part, that is a good way to keep them round as possible, they can be gently turned partly, now and then, to get good shape and color all around.

New Mexico home organic gardener

Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson


Edited 7/23/2009 3:41 pm by Astrid

New Mexico home organic gardener Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. Emerson
Catskill Deb's picture

(post #12592, reply #5 of 6)

by Catskill Deb in reply to Anonymous [original] on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 20:05

For several years, we used to get several buckets a week of old produce from the natural foods grocery in town.  One year in particular our compost piles grew a lot of unidentified squash like vines that we let mature.  We had some fabulous winter squash varieties, as well as lots of ornamental gourds.  That was a nice bonus!  Note though that these grew from the seeds of the original produce.  The second year volunteers were just as you described, a big mixed up cross-pollinated mess!