Growing pumpkin vine in North Carolina is a rewarding experience for both home gardeners and commercial-grade granger likewise . The climate in this part of the United States is generally mild , with fond , humid summer and cool , temperate winter . Thanks to the abundance of temperateness and rainfall , the soil is typically fertile and rich in nutrient , making it idealistic for pumpkin cultivation .
The tenacious growing season , which generally protract from previous May to mid - October , ensure that the pumpkins have mickle of sentence to suppurate and develop their sweet , typical flavor . With the right seeds and a bit of know - how , North Carolinians can delight a successful harvest of pumpkins each and every year .
Popular pumpkin varieties
choose the right variety of Cucurbita pepo for your purpose and climate is an important step in maturate pumpkins . If you live in a climate with a brusque grow season , you ’ll desire to clean a variety that matures in under 100 daytime . These are some popular pumpkin varieties and their near days to harvest :
Please observe that the days to harvest may vary depend on growing atmospheric condition , so it ’s sound to refer to the seed packet or consult with a local gardening expert for more specific selective information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in North Carolina
If you need to get a head start up on your pumpkin harvest or live in a region with a inadequate growing season , jump yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a great choice . in the main speak , you should aim to start your pumpkin seed indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors . This timing will give the seedlings clock time to mature and develop inviolable root systems , without becoming too large or base - bind . In North Carolina , you should plant your pumpkin seeds indoors around :
To set out your Cucurbita pepo seed indoors , you ’ll need to gather some supplies , including seed - starting tray , seed - starting commixture , and a grow light or sunny windowsill . occupy the source - set off tray with the seed - start premix , and plant one or two pumpkin seed per cell , planting the ejaculate about 1 inch deep .
identify the seed tray in a warm , bright localization , and keep the soil consistently moist . Once the seeds have germinated and get their first set of true leaves , you may start to fecundate them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedling go on to grow , you may need to thin them out to one plant per electric cell to prevent overcrowding . It ’s also important to harden off your seedlings before transplanting them outdoors , bit by bit exposing them to outdoor experimental condition over the course of study of several days to avoid shock absorber . With proper care and tending , your indoor - grow pumpkin seedlings will be quick to transplant outdoors and continue their ontogeny into mature , beautiful Cucurbita pepo .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedlings have farm into sturdy plants and the weather has warm up up , it ’s time to transfer them outdoors . Before transplanting , it ’s important to check that that the grease temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° carbon ) and that there is no longer a risk of frost . The last frost date in North Carolina is :
To prepare your garden bed for Cucurbita pepo jump , choose a sunny location with well - draining soil . Add plenty of compost or well - decompose manure to the land , as autumn pumpkin are sound feeder and require flock of nutrient to boom .
When planting your autumn pumpkin protrude , ensure to space them about 3 - 5 foot asunder , depend on the smorgasbord . savvy a fix that is slightly big than the root ball of the seedling , and place the seedling into the hollow , making sure to inhume it up to its first set of rightful leaves . This will encourage the works to rise a strong beginning system and establish itself in the soil .
After planting , water your pumpkin set off thoroughly and regularly , making certain to keep the filth consistently moist but not waterlogged . lend a layer of mulch around the plant life can help retain wet and prevent weeds .
As the pumpkin plants go forward to grow , you may need to provide extra funding in the form of trellis or cages to keep the vines from sprawl too far and look at up too much outer space . With proper care and attention , your pumpkin starts will produce into mature plants and produce beautiful , hefty pumpkins just in time for the harvest season .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve plant your pumpkins outdoors in North Carolina , it ’s important to render them with right fear . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plant and have an awe-inspiring harvesting !
When to harvest pumpkins in North Carolina
autumn pumpkin are typically quick to glean when they have reached their full size of it and the vine have begin to dry out . Here are some signs that your pumpkin are ready to be pick :
When harvest home pumpkins , it ’s significant to expend sharp-worded , clean shear or a tongue to abridge the stem about 2 inch ( 5 centimetre ) above the yield . Avoid pulling or twisting the Cucurbita pepo , which can damage the stem and make it more susceptible to rot . After harvesting , store your pumpkin vine in a cool , dry position with honest tune circulation to help them last longer .
