Pumpkin Seeds

🎃 The Autumn Classic

Pumpkins are iconic North American winter squash, celebrated for their culinary versatility and their essential role in seasonal decorations.

  • Growing Essentials: Pumpkins thrive in hot weather with full sun and deep, rich, organic soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Before planting, work in plenty of compost.

  • Sowing: Direct sow outdoors from late May to early June, 2.5 cm deep in hills 2.4 m apart (4–6 seeds per hill, then thin to 3). If starting indoors 4 weeks early, use paper or fibre pots to minimize root shock, as pumpkins do not transplant well.

  • Pro-Tips: For competition-sized fruit, allow only two pumpkins to mature per plant. Protect developing fruit from frost.

  • Harvesting: After the first frost, cut the stem with a knife, leaving a 7.5–10 cm handle. Store in a cool, dry place for decorating, or can/freeze the flesh for cooking.

SCOUT IPPM

OSC Seeds recommends using SCOUT IPPM to evaluate pests and pollinator populations in your cucurbit crops. Developed in partnership with the University of Guelph and Pollinator Partnership Canada, the SCOUT IPPM app uses scientific data and government guidelines to set action recommendations for growers. Free download is available on App Store and Google Play.

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