Want to grow your own pumpkins for fall decor?
Here’s what to know.
Sierra Lemon/Getty Images
Do you love decorating your home with pumpkins for fall?
Credit:Sierra Lemon/Getty Images
Consider growing your own decorative pumpkins.
Pumpkins, part of the squash family, are easy to grow.
Pumpkins germinate easily, making them a great choice to grow from seed.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Plus, you’re often limited to what your local nursery has available.
Noble adds, “Others may choose to grow from seedlings if they have a short growing season.”
Her favorite decorative varieties includeFireball, Blanco, Fairytale,andMiniwarts.Root likesWee-B-Little PumpkinandJarrahdale Pumpkinfor fall decor.
How To Grow Pumpkins
Pumpkins are easy to grow as long as their care requirements are met.
Powdery mildew is spread by spores that produce a white powder on the leaves.
Downy mildew is another common fungal disease that turns the leaves light green with splotches of yellow.
One way to minimize the chance of these mildews is watering your pumpkins near the base of the stem.
Using a hose or sprinkler system that sprays the entire plant can spread this mildew quicker.
“Leaf wetness from overhead irrigation can make the diseases worse,” he adds.
Want to mitigate these mildews?
“Plant in an area that has good air circulation.
This will help keep the leaves drier and less prone to disease,” says Key.
Now you’re wondering, When is it time to harvest?
The timing will vary based on the variety.
The good news is you’ll see signs when it’s harvest time.
“These are indicators that the fruit has matured, which will help them last longer after picking.”
Observe the stem for clues, too.
“The stem should also be drying out and starting to crack,” says Root.
Use a sharp knife to harvest.
This will also help the fruit last longer after picking."
