By Scout Nelson
Growing your own pumpkins can be fun, especially when you choose big, but not giant, varieties. Unlike massive 300-pound pumpkins that require intensive care and space, some easy-to-grow options offer beauty and size without hassle.
NDSU Extension’s North Dakota Home Garden Trials this summer focus on testing pumpkin varieties that weigh around 40 pounds. These pumpkins are bright orange, have strong handles, and are grown on productive vines that resist diseases.
Popular varieties include Big Moose, Captain Jack, Early Giant, and Large Marge. Newer options like Big Doris and Denali are also being trialed. These hybrids outperform commonly available types like Atlantic Giant and Big Max, which often produce misshapen or less attractive fruit.
Seeds can be started indoors in early May and transplanted later in the month. However, sowing seeds directly in the garden also works. Plant two seeds every 36 to 72 inches in rows spaced 10 to 12 feet apart. If both seeds grow, remove the weaker one.
Minimal care is needed. Deep watering once or twice a week and one fertilizer application in summer is usually enough. For bigger fruits, increase watering and fertilizer. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease.
Choose F1 hybrids with resistance to powdery mildew. These resist disease better than non-hybrids. Remove any late-forming fruits after mid-August to allow earlier fruits to grow well.
For more information or to join the Home Garden Trials, visit ndsu.ag/homegardentrials or contact your local NDSU Extension office at ndsu.ag/countyoffice.
Photo Credit:gettyImages-digitalvision
Categories: North Dakota, General