How to Grow Pumpkins From Seeds

Caring for homegrown pumpkins when they're in the ground can be a time-intensive process, but as long as you set a routine, there will be big orange gourds in your garden in just a few months. That means more carving, baking, and fall decor. Danny Watson, a garden center associate at The Home Depot, shares his best tips for planting and growing pumpkins from seeds.

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When to Plant Pumpkins

The best time to plant pumpkin seeds is from late May to early July to enjoy them in the fall. You can choose store-bought seeds ready for planting or collect the seeds from a pumpkin you just carved&#;it's a pretty easy task.

Before you plant pumpkin seeds, remember that you'll need plenty of room in your backyard to space out the seeds, so aspiring pumpkin growers who need more outdoor space might want to stick to the pumpkin patch or store.

How to Plant Pumpkin Seeds

Planting pumpkin seeds isn't as easy as tossing them into some soil and watering&#;there's a bit of preparation you need to do to ensure they take root and thrive. Here's how to plant pumpkin seeds so you get a great harvest in the fall.

Step 1: Prep Your Seeds

If you're planting seeds that you removed from the inside of a fresh pumpkin, there's some prepping you'll need to do before you plant them in the ground.

1. Clean off the pulp.
2. Place the seeds in a colander and rinse them with cold water.
3. "Once you've rinsed all the seeds, separate and select the biggest seeds," Watson says. "They have a better chance to grow and flower.
4. Space them out on a paper towel so that they can air-dry."

If you're not ready to plant them just yet, store the seeds by putting them in an envelope and placing them in the back of your refrigerator.

For store-bought seeds, Watson suggests these three varieties:

• Autumn Gold: if you're looking to grow pumpkins, you can carve.
• Dill's Atlantic Giant: if you want to grow giant pumpkins upwards to 200 pounds.
• Casper: if you like all-white versions.

Step 2: Pick a Planting Site

"Pick a planting site with full sun to light shade," Watson recommends. "Keep in mind that the soil should be able to drain because pumpkins prefer soil that is not too soggy."

Pumpkins need room to grow, so you'll need to clear a big spot in your yard. "Due to large vines, it is best to plant your pumpkin seeds five feet apart," Watson says. "If you are growing a smaller variety of pumpkins, the spacing changes&#;instead, space them three feet apart."

Check the pH level of your soil (which you can do with a kit)&#;it should read between 6 and 6.8. Make sure the area is clear of any pests, insects, and weeds: "You can use weed block two weeks ahead of planting, which will allow the weeds to die naturally," Watson suggests. Another option? All-natural weed killers.

Step 3: Sow Pumpkin Seeds in the Soil

When it's time to put the seeds in the ground, be sure to do so properly. Spacing is essential because the vines grow to be quite large. In order to give them enough room, space your seeds about five feet apart. "Pumpkins grow best when you plant the seeds directly into the ground about one inch deep," Watson adds.

Tips for Growing Pumpkins From Seed

Growing pumpkins isn't complicated, but there are a few things that can thwart the success of your plants. Here are a few tips to help your pumpkin plants flourish.

Keep Pests Away

Pay attention to any pests, insects, and weeds, especially in the early part of the season. After the plants are about 1 foot tall, you can start regularly fertilizing them with a nitrogen-based fertilizer.

Water Early in the Morning

"Diligent watering is very important as the vine can become susceptible to disease," Watson says. "Watering in the early morning (around 6 a.m.) is key, especially in the summer months, as the hot weather can make the vegetables extra dry." Watson also suggests purchasing a soaker hose.

In addition to watering, adding mulch around the perimeter can help the pumpkins stay hydrated. Don't forget to care for the vine and protect it (and ultimately the pumpkin) from damage.

Prune the Vines

"Once the vines are showing, switch over your fertilizer to one that is high in phosphorous," Watson recommends. "When you are ready to stunt vine growth (after a few pumpkins have formed), pinch off the fuzzy ends of the vine. Pruning the vine is a great way to help with space and focuses blooming plant growth."

Pumpkin Growth and Harvesting

Pumpkins typically have a growing season of 75 to 100 days. A few weeks before it's time to harvest, remove any leaves that are shading the plant&#;this will help give the pumpkins more color.

"A sign of a ripe pumpkin is when the outside is the proper coloring, and the skin is hard to the touch," Watson says. "The stem is also a sign of the pumpkins' ripeness. They will be dry to the touch and begin to shrivel."

When the pumpkin is ready, wear gloves and cut the stem one to four inches, keeping in mind that if you cut it too short, it will not store as long. After cutting the stem, place the pumpkin in the sun for 10 to 14 days to harden and ripen properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to grow a pumpkin?

  Once seeds are planted, it takes about 90 to 120 days for a pumpkin to fully develop, depending on the variety. That means it takes about three to six months to reach full maturity. If you buy your seeds from the store, you can check the back of the package for the "days to maturity" information. If you get your seeds from a pumpkin you purchased, you'll need to know the variety to get a more accurate number. You'll know your pumpkin has reached maturity once it has a woody stem, full color, and a hard rind.

• Is growing a pumpkin easy?

  Want more information on where to buy bulk pumpkin seeds for planting? Feel free to contact us.

  Pumpkins are actually an excellent option for beginning gardeners. If you keep a compost pile and ever threw out the insides of a Halloween carving pumpkin, you might have noticed they tend to spout on their own. If you follow the directions in this article, you should be successful in growing your own pumpkins. Remember watering and protecting your plants from pests are key.

• How many pumpkins can you get from one plant?

  You can expect about three to five pumpkins from standard-sized pumpkin plants. Smaller pumpkin varieties, like sugar pumpkins, may produce as many as ten pumpkins per plant. To get optimal growth from each plant, keeping your garden free of weeds, adequately watered, and giving your plants enough room to grow is important.

• Should you soak your pumpkin seeds before planting?

  Yes, you should soak your pumpkin seeds before planting. Soaking them helps with the germination process (and speeds it up). By soaking the seeds, you soften that hard outer shell, which 1) allows moisture to penetrate the seed and 2) lets the plant break through the shell more easily.

As you scoop the goop out of your soon-to-be jack-o&#;-lantern, you may wonder how to save pumpkin seeds for planting next year. Or if you&#;re like me, you wonder how to save pumpkin seeds to eat!

But whether you want to grow pumpkins from seed or harvest the seeds to eat, you need to know how to gather, clean, and dry them first. Below is everything you need to know about how to save pumpkin seeds for planting or to turn them into a tasty snack.

Benefits of Saving Pumpkin Seeds

There are so many creative uses for pumpkins besides carving them for Halloween. Two of the most common are saving pumpkin seeds for planting and eating.

If you want to know how to save pumpkin seeds to plant in the garden, be aware that some pumpkins do not come true to seed. Instead they cross pollinate, which can be a problem.

Pumpkins cross pollinate with other members of the Cucurbit family like squash, cucumber, or melon. This means if you plant these crops close together, the seeds you harvest may grow into an amalgamation of a pumpkin and another Cucurbit crop.

If, however, you separate your Cucurbit crops you can harvest true seed. Commercial growers stop cross pollination by separating crops by at least half a mile to get true seed. The best bet is to use a pumpkin that is an heirloom or open pollinated plant, not a hybrid.

When eaten in moderation, pumpkin seeds are quite healthy. They are high in fiber, contain antioxidants and are a good source of heart healthy unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. There are also many uses for pumpkin seeds in the kitchen other than roasting.

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How to Harvest Pumpkin Seeds

Whether you want to learn how to save pumpkin seeds for planting or eating, the harvesting process is the same and easy to do with a few simple seed harvesting tips.

1. To harvest pumpkin seeds, start with a large, healthy pumpkin. Wash the pumpkin and dry it to remove any dirt or debris and then cut it in half with a sharp knife.
2. Scoop the seeds out with a spoon. Wash and rinse the seeds with clean water until the pulp separates from the seeds, then drain the seeds in a strainer.
3. Remove the pulp and seeds from inside the pumpkin. Place this in a colander.
4. Place the colander under running water. As the water runs over the pumpkin innards, separate the pumpkin seeds from the pulp by picking out seeds and letting pulp run out of the colander. Rinse in the running water as you complete this step.
5. There will be more seeds inside the pumpkin than you will likely need to plant, so once you have rinsed a good amount of seeds, look over them and choose the biggest ones. Plan on saving three times more pumpkin seeds than the number of plants you'll be growing next year. Larger seeds have a better chance of germinating.
6. Place the rinsed seeds on a dry paper towel. Make sure they are spaced out; otherwise, the seeds will stick to one another.

(Image credit: Nature, food, landscape, travel / Getty Images)

How to Save Pumpkin Seeds

Once you&#;ve separated and cleaned the seeds, the process for saving them varies a bit depending on whether you&#;re saving them for planting or eating.

For Planting

Lay out seeds in a single layer; on an old window screen or the like is perfect. Allow them to dry for a few weeks, turning them over for the first few days.

Once they are dry, package the seeds in paper envelopes then date and label them. Store seeds in a cool dry area for up to a year. Or you can store pumpkin seeds in a sealed plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Properly stored pumpkin seeds may remain viable for up to four years.

For Eating

Harvest pumpkin seeds for eating the same way you would for planting, then dry in the same manner or use a dehydrator. Set your dehydrator to 115-120 F (46-49 C) for 1-2 hours or in the oven on warm for 3-4 hours. Stir the seeds frequently to ensure even drying.

Once the seeds are dry, you can roast them. At this time you can add additional seasonings, if you like, or toss them with a little oil and salt before roasting.

If you want to de-hull your seeds to make them a bit easier to eat, you must boil and dry them first before roasting. Hulls slide off seeds after boiling or you can crack and remove them manually before eating. Usually the hull isn&#;t too thick and there isn&#;t really a need to remove it.

There are also pumpkin varieties that have hull-less seeds, often called pepitas, though there are a few differences in pepitas vs. pumpkin seeds. If you are using a hull-less variety, skip the hulling step above.

How to Store Pumpkin Seeds for Planting

When saving pumpkin seeds for planting next year, store them where they will remain viable for many months. All seeds, pumpkin or otherwise, store best when kept somewhere cool and dry.

(Image credit: Zbynek Pospisil / Getty Images)

One of the best ways to store seeds, including pumpkin seeds, is putting them in your refrigerator. Place your pumpkin seed envelope in a plastic container, then make several holes in the lid to ensure condensation doesn't build up on the inside.

Place the container with the seeds at the back of the fridge. Then next year, when it comes time for planting pumpkin seeds, yours will be ready to grow.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

You can opt to roast pumpkin seeds in the oven or microwave, or boil and then roast them in the oven.

To roast in the oven, toss seeds with a little oil and salt as well as your favorite seasonings. Roast at 250 degrees F (121 C) for 10-15 minutes, keeping a careful eye on them so they don&#;t get too brown.

If you would rather roast the seeds in the microwave, pat them dry first. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe dish then spread a single layer of the seeds atop the melted butter. Microwave on high for 7-8 minutes, stirring every two minutes. Remove from the microwave and season with salt and any other seasonings you&#;d like.

You may also boil the seeds in salted water for half an hour, drain and dry, then roast in a shallow pan or cookie sheet for 30-40 minutes at 300 F (149 C). Stir the seeds every 10 minutes to ensure even roasting.

(Image credit: Kelly Sillaste / Getty Images)

If your hulls were thick and you opted for removal, you can toast the hull-less seeds instead of roasting them. This is a different, though equally tasty, take on the classic fall favorite. Cook seeds in a skillet over medium-low heat until they begin to pop and smell nutty.

Once your roasted or toasted seeds are cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do pumpkin seeds last?

Under the right conditions, you can store pumpkin seeds for up to four years. Store dried seeds in a cool, dry area for up to a year or store them in the refrigerator to extend their lifespan.

Can you plant pumpkin seeds straight from the pumpkin?

Probably. The issue isn&#;t if you can plant fresh seeds from a fresh pumpkin, the problem is that pumpkins mature in the fall but are planted from seeds until the spring. You would need to store the seeds for months prior to planting and the only way to do that without them getting moldy is to dry them first.

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