Commercial Production of Pumpkins in Mississippi
Pumpkins are insect-pollinated; therefore, bees are essential for good yields and well-shaped fruit.
Soils
Avoid poorly aerated soils, soils with nematode problems, or fields where other cucurbits have been grown in the last 3 years. Medium-textured soils are preferred types for commercial production of pumpkins in Mississippi. Keep the soil pH between 5.6 and 6.5.
Varieties
- Howden, Connecticut Field (20- to 25-pound fruit; 110 days to maturity)
- Spirit (semibush) Jack O'Lantern (10- to 12-pound fruit; approximately 100 days to maturity)
- Big Max (up to 50-pound fruit; approximately 120 days to maturity)
- Big Moon (up to 50-pound fruit; approximately 115 days to maturity)
- Aspen (18- to 25-pound fruit; 100 days to maturity)
Seed Rates
You need to use 1 to 3 pounds of seed per acre for the large-vine-type pumpkins. Space the seeds 6 to 10 feet between rows and 6 to 10 feet within the row.Use 2 to 4 pounds of seed per acre for bush-type pumpkins. Space the seeds 3 to 4 feet between rows and 3 feet within the row. Place seeds 1 to 2 inches deep, 3 to 4 seeds per hill. Thin to 1 to 2 plants per hill when plants are 4 to 6 inches tall.
Skip a row every 4 to 6 rows (depending on equipment) to allow for spraying. Regular spraying for diseases and insects is essential.
Planting Dates
Maturity of pumpkins varies from 70 to 120 days, depending on growing conditions. Hot, dry conditions tend to accelerate maturity, while cool weather delays maturity. If you plant later than early July, you could be too late for the Halloween market. If you plant too early, you will have a storage problem.
Lime
Apply 2 tons of lime per acre if pH is 5.6 or below. Make applications 3 months before planting your pumpkin crop.
Fertilizer
Follow soil test recommendations. Sidedress 6 to 8 inches from plant on both sides of the row with 30 pounds of nitrogen when runners are 12 inches long.
Pollination
Pumpkins are insect-pollinated; therefore, bees are essential for good yields and well-shaped fruit. The wild bee population may have to be supplemented. When using insecticides, apply when bees are not active (late afternoon). Make sure insecticides do not drift to hives.
Weed Control
Per acre, apply 4 to 6 pounds of active ingredients of bensulide (Prefar) before planting. Incorporate 1 to 2 inches (has 18-month restriction on crops not labeled). Clomazone (Command) can be incorporated at 1 pound active ingredient per acre before planting. Always follow directions on label when using herbicides. Practice shallow cultivation. Pumpkins have many important feeder roots near the surface, and roots grow to about the same spread as do the vines. Sethoxydim (Poast) can be used for postemergence control of grasses. Consult the latest Extension weed control guidelines for rates and other information.
Disease Control
Downy mildew and powdery mildew are common diseases on pumpkins. Downy mildew appears in wet weather as yellow or brown spots on leaves. Spots on underside of pumpkin leaves may be grayish. Powdery mildew appears as a grayish, powder-like mold on the leaf surface. Bravo should control these diseases. For additional information, see Extension Publication 554, "Disease, Insect, and Nematode Control Recommendations for Commercial Vegetables in Mississippi."
Insect Control
Common insect problems include the squash vine borer, pickle worm (after mid-July), and the squash bug. Use carbaryl (Sevin), endosulfan (Thiodan), and Asana to control these insects. (Bees are particularly sensitive to Sevin.) For further information, see Extension Publication 554.
Harvesting
Cut fruits from vines when pumpkins are fully colored. The stems may begin to turn color at maturity. Do not damage or break off the pumpkin's stem. Stemless pumpkins have a lower value as Jack-O-Lanterns, and they rot more easily. Do not bruise pumpkins when harvesting or hauling, because injured pumpkins are susceptible to decay organisms. Use a well-padded truck when hauling pumpkins.
Yield
A good pumpkin crop yield would be 1,000 large or 2,000 small marketable fruits per acre, or 20,000 pounds per acre.
Storage
If pumpkins are harvested well before sale, wash pumpkins, dip in 10 percent chlorine bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water), and store in a single layer at 45 to 55 °F, at a relative humidity of 70 to 75 percent.
The information given here is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended of other products that may also be suitable.
By Dr. David Nagel, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Information Sheet
1515
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress,
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
Copyright by Mississippi
State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational
purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
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