July is the Time to Plant Pumpkins for Halloween

With temperatures soaring Halloween may be far from your mind, but July is the time to sow pumpkin seeds for autumn harvest. Starting seeds in the summer heat can be tricky, and timing is everything when it comes to celebrating the seasons. The following tips will ensure a plentiful harvest in time for fall festivities.

Time It Right

You’ll find dozens of varieties available when shopping for pumpkin seeds, from varieties favored for jack-o-lanterns to flavorful pie pumpkins and the adorable ‘Jack Be Little’. Some varieties mature more quickly than others. Information regarding maturation time, commonly listed as “days to maturity,” is listed on seeds packets and catalogue or online descriptions.

Maturation time is commonly listed as a range, such as 90-110 days, and refers to the time required between sowing seeds and harvesting a mature crop. To ensure a crop in time for Halloween, count back the number of days to maturity from your target harvest date. This gives you an ideal planting window.

Starting Seeds in the Summer Heat

Starting pumpkin seeds in July is challenging. Intense summer sun sucks moisture from the soil surface, where temperatures can reach 140˚F! These conditions can quickly kill seeds. Several techniques work to enhance seed germination and establishment by cooling soils and managing limited moisture. Start by soaking seeds overnight to hasten germination, then apply one or more of the following.

Plant in Furrows

Pumpkins are commonly planted on hills in spring, but for summer establishment we want to think “deep.” Plant seeds in narrow trenches or furrows to help shade seeds and conserve soil moisture. The seeds are set deeper, where soils are slightly damper and cooler, and the sides of the furrow shade the bottom from intense sun.

Start by loosening the soil and incorporating organic matter to increase the water-holding capacity. Dig a narrow V-shaped furrow 5-6 inches deep. Place the pumpkin seeds in the bottom of the furrow and cover with one inch of soil. Do not fill the furrow entirely. The seeds will be shaded inside the furrow. As the seedling grows, you can add more soil to the furrow bringing it level with its surroundings.

Throw Some Shade

Providing shade also helps cool surface soils and limit evaporation. Use materials you have on hand to cover rows such as shade clothes, strips of screen, or boards. Shade materials can be combined with furrow planting. Wire screens work well, as they bend to form long tents over the row or furrow. Remove shading materials after the seedlings emerge.

Maintain Soil Moisture

Seeds need consistent soil moisture to germinate. In July, light daily watering may be needed to maintain moisture near the surface where seeds are planted. Drip irrigation is an efficient way to deliver water. Furrow planting also conserves water by directing it to the bottom of the trench where seeds are set. When you irrigate, water only the furrow to save water. Weed seeds will also take advantage of irrigation. Remove weeds that establish within the row and mulch around plants to help manage weeds.

Harvest and Storage

Pumpkins are ripe when the color develops fully and the rind hardens. When you thump on a mature pumpkin, they sound hollow. Cut pumpkins from the vine using a sharp knife or pruners, leaving 3 to 4 inches of stem in place. Avoid carrying the pumpkin by its stem, which can easily break.

Pumpkins can be stored for Thanksgiving pies or fall decorating. Allow them to fully ripen for longer storage. Harvest all pumpkins before a hard freeze.