Growing Pumpkins in the South for Fall

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Growing Pumpkins in the South for Fall

August 3, 2022

Pumpkins are a fall favorite among many whether grown for pies, jack-o’-lanterns, or seeds for snackings. While usually easy to grow, there are a few steps to keep in mind to plan for in order to try to have success. Pumpkins can be susceptible to some pests and diseases and are warm season plants only.

Site Selection

Pumpkins are known to be heavy feeders, so adding compost and possibly additional fertilizer might be a good idea depending on soil test results. When adding compost, try to put a heaping pile of organic matter, enough to add about 3” across your planting area, and then rake it in well in the soil. Pumpkins need to be planted in full sun, a location that receives 6 hours of sunlight at a minimum.

Planting & Watering

Here where we live in South East Texas, just north of Houston, we normally start the bigger varieties in July which have a longer “Days to Maturity” between 90 to 120 days and the smaller varieties are between 60 to 75 days, which we start in late July or early August. Depending on when you want the pumpkins exactly you can count out the days and go backwards for when you want to start the seeds.

Transplanting is preferred and takes about 3 weeks in containers prior to planting out in the gardens. Sow 2-3 seeds per container of choice. We prefer transplanting as we can control the environment, the water, and have much better success. The plant will grow very quickly and be a good size, about 6” or so, within 3 months. It is important to know that when transplanting it is super important to transition and harden the plants off slowly to the intense summer sun. Do this over a week or more, starting with one hour and increase each day, closely monitoring for shock and sunburning.

Direct Sowing is also very common and the seeds can be sown 2 at a time at about ½” to 1” deep. Keeping the soil moist for the first 3 weeks is essential for good germination.

For both options you will want to stay on top of the weeds as much as possible and mulching with straw will help suppress weeds, conserve water, and reduce rot by keeping the pumpkins off of the soil.

Pumpkins do prefer a lot of water and it is very critical while the fruits are growing. Water stress can lead to blossom-end rot and/or poor size and decreased production.

Spacing

Pumpkins are vining plants and get HUGE! They really do need a lot of space for the plants to have enough air flow and to produce the fruits. Between the rows it is important to have about 4 to 6 feet and then below we’ve shared the plant spacing needs between each plant.

Small Varieties: 18-24”

Medium Varieties: 24-36”

Large to Extra Large: 36-72”

Different Varieties Available

There are so many varieties available now from big jumbo to little mini. The colors also range from traditional orange, blue-green, white, bi-color and also tan. There are better varieties for decoration use only and better selections for edible. It really depends on your purpose and that will help narrow down your selection.

Pests & Disease

Common pests with pumpkins include Squash Vine Boers, Squash Bugs, Cucumber Beetles, and I have also had Army Worms eat my pumpkin leaves before during an outbreak. To help discourage pests, keep the borders mowed and remove plant debris after harvesting in the late fall.

Pumpkins are known to be highly susceptible to fungus especially in the Southern States where the humidity is so high. Wider plant spacing will certainly help. Drip irrigation will also help by minimizing the moisture on the leaves. Common Diseases include Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Phytophthora, Bacterial Wilt, and Yellow Vine Disease. If caught early enough, you can use a fungicide spray or drench. Your local garden center can help identify exactly what disease or pest you might have with a sample and help make recommendations for your exact region. If the fungus is widespread it might be best to dispose of the plant in the trash or by burning. It is not recommended to put in the compost pile as the spores can spread.

Harvesting Tips

It is best to harvest when the pumpkin fruit is fully developed. For long “handles” on the pumpkins, cut close to the main vine. Curing is recommended which helps to heal wounds to the pumpkin, enhances color, and ensures longer life. Sun cure the field or garden for 5-7 days. White variety should always be cured indoors to keep the sun from yellowing the skin.

For collecting the seeds, choose a variety specifically for seed production. Cure the pumpkin and then collect the seeds, wash them, and allow to dry.

Like squash blossoms, pumpkin blossoms can also be eaten! They have a mild, squash-like flavor and can be stuffed, fried, or used as a garnish in soups and salads. They are very perishable and pumpkin blossoms are considered a local delicacy! They have a short shelf life and its best to select large male blossoms that aren’t wilted. Clip the flowers 1-2 inches below the flower vase. Gently shake to remove any insects and refrigerate immediately. Enjoy!

We would love to see your pictures this fall of your pumpkins and other garden goodies! Be sure to tag or send us some pictures! Please use this hashtag #rootandroux

Happy Gardening y’all!

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Growing Mums!

November 21, 2022

Chrysanthemums or “Mums” are a beautiful seasonal flower here in Texas! Especially in the fall! You can find mums sold at most grocery stores and garden centers in late summer and fall. These mums have been pinched or cut into their sought after rounded shape with lots of blooms and buds covering the plant. When purchasing a garden mum from a local store or garden center it is important to think about when you want your mums to be blooming. If you are hosting a holiday party very soon and want to show off their blooms, it is okay to purchase a mum that is full of open flowers. However, once the blooms are spent the mum will be done blooming for the rest of the season. To get the longest life out of your chrysanthemum, select a plant that has unopened buds or a mix of semi-open and closed buds. This will help you enjoy your plant longer, giving you an average of 4-6 weeks of bloom time.

Fall Seeds and Frost Protection

October 28, 2022

Fall has officially arrived with temperatures finally dropping and cold fronts blowing in much needed rain! As the weather cools off warm hardy plants will begin to slow down, produce seed, and finish their life cycle. The average first frost date is November 28th - December 15th for planting Zones 8 - 9. Once the first frost arrives warm annuals such as zinnias, dahlias, watermelons, tomatoes, and many more will shrivel and die leaving your garden bare. However, there are many cold hardy plants that you may direct seed and transplant now in your garden that can tolerate frosts and light freezes. Seeding and transplanting these plants will keep your garden productive and beautiful during the winter months.

How to Read a Seed Packet!

September 8, 2022

Seed packets come in all shapes and sizes! Each company structures their seed packets differently, but all will tell you information that you need to know to grow the seeds inside! There is a lot of information packed on one packet and some of the information is very technical. Each category on a seed packet is important and each has their own meaning and impact on your plants. Planting Season : The first step to starting your seeds or planting your transplants is to know during which season the variety you have selected grows best. For example, Zinnias do not grow well during the cold months of winter, and Ranunculus do not grow well in the hot months of summer. Some seed packets will list the growing season on them, such as warm season or cool season. If the season is not listed, you can research the variety based on your growing zone, or ask your local garden center.

Growing Broccoli in The South!

September 6, 2022

Broccoli is a cool season crop that grows well in the cooler months for the Southern States. There are plenty of nutritional benefits with Broccoli and they are high in Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron and Potassium. Broccoli also has more protein than most other vegetables. Broccoli can also be enjoyed both raw, steamed, or cooked. Site Selection Broccoli needs to be planted in full sun where it can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. It also needs fertile, well draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Mulch will also help keep the ground cool and moist. Planting & Watering Broccoli can be started from seed and will be ready for planting in about 14 days. Depending on the variety the plants do grow quickly with the average maturity at around 60 days. Transplanting is better to have a more controlled environment and to get a jump start on the weeds to ensure a successful start.

Growing One of The Most Underrated Vegetables - Beets!

September 1, 2022

Beets are a cool season crop that grow well in the cooler months for the Southern States. They are an excellent choice for home hardens as they require little growing space. Beets are grown for both the roots which are usually pickled and the green tops which can be used as “greens” in any salad dish or cooking dish such as with scrambled eggs, in pasta, or in a grain bowl. There are plenty of nutritional benefits and they are an excellent source of antioxidants. They are also high in fiber, nitrates, and potassium according to the Cleveland Clinic .

A Southern Heat-Loving Favorite: Peppers!

August 22, 2022

Peppers are a staple in any gardens and are so incredibly versatile and can be used or consumed in a large variety of ways. Peppers are a warm-season vegetable that grow in most Southern States really well and love the heat. Peppers are wonderful to eat raw or cooked, eat them for a snack or as a garnish to a favorite dish, they can also be added to salads and casseroles, or served stuffed with seasoned bread crumbs or meat and baked with cheese. YUM!

Growing Tomatoes in The South - A Classic Garden Favorite!

August 16, 2022

Known as the most popular garden vegetable, the tomato, is a long time favorite for generations. While a fairly easy plant to grow and enjoy, there are a few tricks to learn that will help set you up for success. There are over 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes registered so this can be incredibly overwhelming to select for your garden. Knowing the basics of the different varieties, sizes, shapes, and colors will help you have a better understanding to make the best choice for you. Determinate tomatoes are big bushy types with small, berry tomatoes. The most common approach is to let these grow in cages or to stake with bamboo. Indeterminate tomatoes are tall-growing with large tomatoes. These will need to be staked and tied every foot or two as they will keep growing until the end of the plant's life either by disease or frost. A trellis is another good option. Hybrids are a cross of two distinct parent varieties that combines desirable traits such as disease resistance, early maturity, or fruit set at high temperatures. These are called F1 (first generation) varieties and are commonly grown by many vegetable farmers and growers. There are some fantastic hybrids that have been developed in the past 50-60 years that are favorites by many gardeners and growers for their specific traits that have made them better plants for growing in the South. The seeds produced by these plants may not come back true to the parent plant. Open-pollinated can be defined by a variety with fixed genetic traits that are pollinated by wind or insects. The genetics are considered stable and it will grow true from saved seed. Heirlooms are a classification of a variety that has been grown for at least 50 years and must be an open-pollinated variety. Many enthusiasts find the history behind the heirloom fascinating and motivating to carry on the line of that specific variety. Within these different categories of seeds types, the sizes and shapes of tomatoes also vary greatly. Beefsteaks are known as the jumbo ones and can be 1-2 pounds in weight! Slicers are mostly round, not much bigger than a baseball, and can weigh 4-8 ounces. Paste tomatoes are also known as plum, Italian, or Roma tomatoes. These are the best choice for canning, freezing, roasting, drying, or sauce making due to having fewer seeds and juice. Cherry tomatoes are small, bite-size, round, oval, grape, and pear varieties in many colors including red, pink, yellow, green, purple, deep blue and two-tone varieties. Currants are a different species altogether, are tiny pea size varieties that are perfect for snacking or as additions to salads.

Marigolds - An Excellent Garden Companion

August 9, 2022

Marigolds are a fantastic collection that is an excellent garden and cut flower very commonly grown during the Fall, but we love during all warm months. They are edible and have a peppery flavor, the leaves have a scent that some love (and some despise), and that scent also makes them deer resistant. Hooray! They are drought resistant and do amazingly well during the hot months. The pollinators love them and butterflies are a common sight on our blooms in the gardens. Marigolds have long been a favorite with vegetable growers and are known to be excellent companion plants to help deter pests and also bring in beneficial insects. The plants are known to deter usually cucumber beetles, Japanese beetles, nematodes, squash bugs, and potato beetles. Specific vegetable plants that can benefit from marigolds are cucumbers, melons, eggplants, squash, potatoes, lettuce, pumpkins, tomatoes, asparagus, beans, and onions.

Cosmos - A Lovely Garden Favorite

August 6, 2022

Cosmos are a classic cottage garden favorite with wispy blooms that are a favorite among many. It is a lovely addition to landscaping beds, containers, and one of my favorites for the cutting garden. There are many varieties available now commercially by seed and seedling transplants. Cosmos are also a pollinator favorite! Site Selection Cosmos need to have a place with full sun, at least six hours of full sunlight. They do prefer well draining soil with high organic content. A heaping scoop of compost raked into the soil will do wonders for plant health.

Zinnias - A Heat Loving Garden Favorite

August 1, 2022

As a long time classic garden and cut flower favorite, Zinnias thrive in the heat found in the Southern States. Their dainty ruffles are always welcomed in our gardens and just speak of summer. I love how they remind me of dahlias but with much less fuss! They can be used in casual rustic arrangements and I’ve even used them in wedding bouquets before. Their uses are endless and they are power houses that are very productive during the warm season months.