Pumpkin Plants

Pumpkins are great fun to grow and incredibly versatile in everyday cooking. Whether you want to grow these plants for the novelty factor, using them in seasonal displays or whether you intend to grow them for the plate, you are sure to get off to a great start with our wide variety of seeds.

How to grow Pumpkins

Alternatively, if you would like to grow your own from seed you can do so by viewing our pumpkin seed collection and having a go yourself. To grow a bountiful crop of Pumpkins you just need follow a few simple rules.

Position

Pumpkins can grow in to large plants, allow them the space they require to grow and they will be content. Some vines can grow to around 15ft and you will need to accommodate this. They also appreciate a sunny site, needing on average six hours of sun a day. You may want to consider adding a windbreak or a hedge around the site to help reduce any chilly winds that may affect plant growth and fruiting.

Soil

It is important that you prepare your ground prior to planting. Pumpkins are both hungry and thirsty plants. Soil should be prepared by digging it over and adding plenty of organic matter and well rotted horse manure. This will ensure that your pumpkins have all the necessary nutrients they require and the added organic matter will also hold on to moisture.

Care

Pumpkins are thirsty plants and require regular watering. In the early stags of growth you should also feed the plants regularly (every 2-3 weeks) with a high nitrogen fertiliser, such as pelleted chicken manure. Once the pumpkins start to develop you can switch your feed to a potassium rich tomato fertilizer , which will help to produce a good fleshy pumpkin.

Harvesting

Harvest when the skin hardens. Cut the stalk leaving a length attached to the pumpkin. Simply leave the pumpkins in sit to ripen further in the sunshine.

Top Tips

Before planting, cover the area in which you want to grow your pumpkin plants with black polythene, weighed down with soil or stones, which will help warm the soil. Pumpkins will love this and establish quickly. You can also place a tile or piece of matting under the pumpkin fruit to avoid it rotting.

Autumn Gold Hybrid Pumpkin

The Autumn Gold Hybrid Pumpkin is an early pumpkin with lots of uses. The 7-10 pound fruits turn to a golden orange weeks before harvest and are great for cooking or carving. The plant has a hearty vine that yields 3-5 pumpkins. The Autumn Gold hybrid is an All-American Selections winner.

Baby Bear Pumpkin

The Baby Bear is a tiny pumpkin that reaches up to 6" across and up to 2 pounds. The sweet orange flesh is great for pies and has tasty seeds. The plant is disease and frost tolerant with high yields of 10-20 fruits. The Baby Bear is an All-American Selections winner.

Big Max Pumpkin

The Big Max is a enormous pumpkin with fruits that reach up to 100 pounds. The fruits grow to 20" across or larger. The pink-orange rind covers thick yellow orange flesh. Big Max is a great grower for competitions or fairs.

Connecticut Field Pumpkin

Connecticut field pumpkins usually grow to around 20lbs. They reach around 12 inches in diameter and have a thick flesh. A great pumpkin for baking pies or carving Jack-o-Lanterns.

Howden Pumpkin

The Howden is a consistent pumpkin with round symmetrical fruits that store well. The pumpkins have a thick hard rind and lots of flesh, making it a great carving pumpkin. The Howden grows up to 25 pounds and has strong stems.

Jack Be Little Pumpkin

The Jack Be Little pumpkin is a small pumpkin that is perfect for decoration. The dark orange fruits grow up to 3" across and are great keepers when properly cured. The Jack Be Little is perfect for inviting the autumn mood.

Jack O' Lantern Pumpkin

These pumpkins have smooth sides and nice round shapes making them perfect for carving and decoration. The flesh is also good for pies and cooking. Jack O' Lantern pumpkins usually grow to around 10lbs.

Little Pump-ke-mon Pumpkin

The Little Pump-ke-mon is a miniature white pumpkin with orange and green stripes. The unique color makes it a great decorative pumpkin. The 1-2 pound fruits are slightly flattened with moderate ribbing. The Little Pump-ke-mon plant is a compact, high yielding plant.

Wee-Be-Little Pumpkin

The Wee-Be-Little is one of the smallest miniature pumpkins and grows easily from seeds. The round fruits grow to only 8-12 ounces on a compact (only 6-8' vine). The Wee-Be-Little is perfect for decorations. The Wee-Be-Little is an All-American Selections winner.

Try our Water Beads

Blue Water Beads

Use Blue Water Beads to match or contrast with your décor. Place them in a clear pretty bowl or decorated plate with an upturned rim. Mix with other contrast colors from your overall color scheme to pull this together as a centerpiece. It will be a real conversation starter!

Clear Water Beads

Use Clear Water Beads when you just want the delivery system without making a color statement. Mix clear Water Beads with a color to create a lighter effect. Layer them with other colors to provide more visual interest.

Green Water Beads

Use Green Water Beads as a nice understory for potted plants, or a neutral color in a clear vase with a multi-colored bouquet. Layer with Clear for a lighter touch.

Melon Water Beads

Use Melon Water Beads to enhance the color of pink or red flowers, or contrast with white ones.

Orange Water Beads

Use Orange Water Beads to spice up a room. This color works well with Southwest style decorating. Layer them with Teal and Clear for a truly stunning display.

Pink Water Beads

Use Pink Water Beads for a light touch of color to complement pink flowers or contrast with white or purple ones. Put them into a clean candle jar with a tight fitting lid and decorate a little girl’s room.

Purple Water Beads

Use Purple Water Beads in urn-shaped vase as an addition to a contemplation nook. Purple is the color of spirituality and calm, so let these beautiful Water Beads become a focal point for your meditative or prayerful practice.

Teal Water Beads

Use Teal Water Beads to complement aqua and teal colored flowers – like those interesting dyed carnations! Combine with orange and white for southwest style decorating. Combine with clear to remind you of Native American turquoise and silver jewelry.