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Pumpkins require full sun, fertile, well-drained and humus-rich soil that was well manured during winter.
The top of a compost heap makes an ideal location providing it gets plenty of sunshine as can be seen here;
Water freely during hot spells and apply a deep mulch of compost, peat or lawn cuttings to preserve moisture.
Varieties may be induced to bear larger fruits by heaping soil over the axils of fruit-bearing laterals.
Further roots will then be produced to obtain more food and moisture from the soil.
Week 16; Sow one or two seeds (on edge) in 75mm (3") pot of seed compost.
Germinate at a temperature of 10°C (50°F) this should take about a week.
alternatively, sow seeds insitu where the plants are to grow, and protect them with cloches.
Week 17; Thin out seedlings, leaving the strongest one to grow on.
Gradually harden off the young plants in a cold frame prior to planting out.
Week 22; Providing all late frosts have passed, plant out 900mm (36") apart.
Week 27; Pinch out the growing tips of trailing varieties to encourage the production of laterals which tend to bear most of the female flowers.
Week 29; Assist pollination by transferring pollen from the male flower to the female flowers.
Female flowers are distinguished by the bulbous ovary behind the petals
Week 38; onwards cut small-fruited varieties as they mature during summer and use immediately.
Large-fruited types should be left to mature on the plants until late autumn.
Store fruits for winter use in a cool, frost-free shed
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