For large acreages, growers often rely solely on rainfall, losing a percentage of yield, but irrigation for a small-scale production should be considered to maximize yields. Because cucurbits have separate male and female flowers, pollen transfer is needed for adequate fruit set.
Providing bees for pollination, can dramatically increase yields. Without good pollination, fruit set will be less and percentages of misshapen fruit will be higher Figure 7. Though historically, growers have relied on native bee populations to meet this need, losses of feral bees to disease have limited natural pollination. Recommendations for bringing in bees are one to two hives per acre, during the first three to four weeks of flowering.
The use of insecticides on the crop should be avoided at this time to prevent bee kill. However, if insecticide application is necessary, it should be done with care to avoid bee kill while bees are working the flowers. This means using less toxic compounds and spraying in the evening when bees are less active. The most labor-intensive aspect of a pumpkin growing is harvest. Done mostly by hand, harvesting usually requires investment in additional labor.
Growers plan ahead for these labor and time requirements. Often harvest will be multiple, as the crop matures, or as the market requires. This will be the time that a good marketing plan comes in handy. Nothing is more discouraging than seeing a good harvest go under utilized. Good yields for pumpkins will range from 15 to 25 tons per acre, depending on the size of the cultivar and individual fruit weights.
Harvest can start when the stem and rind thumbnail test begin to harden, the skin turns orange, and the ground color changes. Pumpkins should be harvested with three to five inches of the stem on, using long-handled loppers or pruners.
Try to limit holdingthem by the stems to avoid stem breakage. Pumpkins without stems are not marketable. An important part of pumpkin post-harvest care is allowing for curing when possible.
Often fruit are cut from the vine and left a short period in the warm field to cure Figure 8. However because of market demand and time restraints, the curing process is often overlooked and pumpkins are loaded directly from the field and taken to market. Pumpkins are a relatively easy vegetable crop to grow, and can be a profitable item for both direct market and wholesale operations.
Proper variety selection, timing of planting, and field care are important to success regardless of the scale of production. Markets can be variable from year to year depending on local and regional weather conditions affecting crop yield. Irrigation, beehive introduction for pollination, and consistent pest management can help ensure a crop when growing conditions are less than favorable.
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Blacksburg, Va. Riggs, D. I, et al. Pumpkin Production Guide. Northeast Regional Agric. ISBN Maynard, D. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Foster, R. Vegetable Insect Management. Meister Publishing Company, Willoughby, Ohio.
Zitter, T. Cucurbit Diseases. Paul, MN. Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.
VT Logo. VCE Publications Agriculture. Specialty Crop Profile: Pumpkins. ID Figure 1. The primary market for pumpkins is for ornamental use. Photo by A. Return to Table of Contents Market Potential Probably the most important task for any type of specialty crop production is the development of a marketing plan.
Table 1. Return to Table of Contents Systems of Production Historically, pumpkins have been grown on conventionally prepared fields. Figure 2: Plasticulture production of pumpkins, re-utilizing inputs following an earlier strawberry crop. Note chemically killed strawberry foliage. Return to Table of Contents Fertility Prior to planting, a soil test should be taken to determine the phosphorous P and potassium K levels and the soil pH.
Return to Table of Contents Planting Planting should correlate with field conditions that favor stand success and also take into consideration market timing. Table 3. Recommended between- and in-row spacing for pumpkins.
Fruit and Vine Size Between-row Spacing feet. Figure 4. Weedy pumpkin field makes harvest difficult and reduces air movement, increasing diseases. Figure 5. Pumpkins grown no-till in a killed cover crop of cereal rye.
Return to Table of Contents Insects For pumpkins, insect control throughout the season is critical. Return to Table of Contents Diseases Important pumpkin diseases include powdery and downy mildew, plectosporium blight, fusarium wilt, and phytophthora blight. Figure 6. Return to Table of Contents Irrigation Pumpkins are somewhat tolerant of dry soil conditions, but when rainfall is inadequate during critical periods, such as pollination and fruit set, the field should be irrigated.
Return to Table of Contents Pollination Notes Because cucurbits have separate male and female flowers, pollen transfer is needed for adequate fruit set. Figure 7. Poor pollination is evident in developing pumpkin fruit. Return to Table of Contents Harvest and Handling The most labor-intensive aspect of a pumpkin growing is harvest. Figure 8. Recently harvested pumpkins curing in the field.
Return to Table of Contents Summary Pumpkins are a relatively easy vegetable crop to grow, and can be a profitable item for both direct market and wholesale operations.
Return to Table of Contents Disclaimer Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only. Other resources by: Tony Bratsch.
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