Pumpkin Seed Starting Tips

Direct sow pumpkins in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 70°F (21°C). In warm-winter regions, sow pumpkin in midwinter for harvest in early summer. To start pumpkins indoors before the last frost in spring, sow seed in peat pots 4 to 3 weeks before planting out.

Should I soak my pumpkin seeds before planting?
How do you germinate pumpkin seeds quickly?
Should I start pumpkin seeds indoors?
How do you prepare pumpkin seeds for planting?
How long does pumpkin take to grow from seed?
Why won't my pumpkin seeds germinate?
Will old pumpkin seeds germinate?
How often should I water pumpkin seeds?
Will frozen pumpkin seeds germinate?
Can I plant pumpkin seeds from a store bought pumpkin?
How long do you soak pumpkin seeds in salt water?
How many pumpkins do you get per plant?

Should I soak my pumpkin seeds before planting?

Most giant pumpkin seeds have a very thick seed coat. You'll get better germination if you file the edges of the seed. ... After filing, soak seeds for an hour or two in hot water before planting. These steps help seedlings to emerge easily from within the hard seed coat.

How do you germinate pumpkin seeds quickly?

You can soak your pumpkin seeds before planting to encourage faster germination. Put them in clean water and let them sit for a few hours before planting. However, this is not required – as long as the growing medium is moist and warm, the pumpkin seeds should germinate well.

Should I start pumpkin seeds indoors?

Pumpkins do best in soil that is slightly acid or nearly neutral. If you live in a part of the country where there is still danger of frost in late April or early May, start pumpkin seeds indoors about two weeks before planting. Sow one seed for every four-inch peat pot filled with grow mix.

How do you prepare pumpkin seeds for planting?

Cut the top off your pumpkin and scoop out all the pulp. A large spoon works well for this task. Separate the seeds from the pulp with your fingers, then place the seeds in a colander to rinse under cool water. Try to remove as much pulp as possible from each seed.

How long does pumpkin take to grow from seed?

In most cases, it takes 90 to 100 days from planting seeds until the squash are ripe. Cold-climate gardeners may want to get an early start by planting seeds indoors about three weeks before the last spring frost. Plant two seeds per 3" pot, and cut off one if both grow.

Why won't my pumpkin seeds germinate?

The primary reasons for failed germination are: Seeds get eaten – mice, voles, birds, and wireworms all eat seeds. Check to see that the seed is still in the soil. Seeds rot – planted too deeply, over-watered, or in cold weather, our untreated seeds may simply rot.

Will old pumpkin seeds germinate?

Do seeds go bad with time, or can you plant them no matter how old they are? The answer is, yes, seeds will eventually go bad and no longer germinate, but it can take quite a long time. There is a good chance that those old seed packets will have a high percentage of seeds that will germinate just fine.

How often should I water pumpkin seeds?

Pumpkins require a lot of water — about 1" per week. You will need to keep the soil evenly moist, but you want to keep water off of the leaves so be sure not to use an overhead sprinkler for irrigation. Use a garden hose equipped with a misting nozzle to lightly water the mounds.

Will frozen pumpkin seeds germinate?

Freeze seems doesn't affect seeds viability at all. The effort to ensure that a seed receives some cold or freezing temperatures is called stratification. Some types of seeds require it, such as the acorns I gather from oaks in my yard. I was able to get some of them to germinate.

Can I plant pumpkin seeds from a store bought pumpkin?

So, can you really plant seeds from a supermarket pumpkin and grow your own squash? The short answer is 'yes', but if your pumpkin was a hybrid (and even simple carving pumpkins can be), the fruit you later harvest may differ in size and color from the squash you originally bought at the store.

How long do you soak pumpkin seeds in salt water?

You will need enough of the salt water to cover the pumpkin seeds. Soak the seeds in salty water for about 8 hours and then drain them in a paper towel. Soaking the seeds in salt water is optional. If you are sensitive to salt skip this step or reduce the amount of salt used.

How many pumpkins do you get per plant?

If you're getting into planting pumpkin and want to know how many pumpkin plants you can grow per plant, then the simple answer is 3 to 6 pumpkins. Some miniature varieties can yield 10 to 12, while the large variety can produce 1 or 2 pumpkins.