Pumpkins in Southeastern Ontario

by Patricia P
(Ingleside, ONT)

I want to grow a pumpkin for my daughter for Hallowe'en. I live in Ingleside, ON and this spring has been cold. It is the last week in May and still quite cold at night. Can I grow this from a seed at this time of the year or do I wait until it hopefully warms up a lot more? What type of soil and other conditions do I look for while growing this? Any other info will be appreciated. Thanks. I look forward to your articles and have learned a lot from them all.

Doug says that yes, indeed you can still plant pumpkin seeds at the end of May and expect a crop by fall. The deal is thought that you're not going to grow one of those giant pumpkins but rather one of the normal 15-20 pounders. Sow the seed about 1/2 inch deep when the soil warms up - in your best soil - feed every few weeks with a liquid fish emulsion or other plant food - water twice a week deeply to keep the plant growing. Enjoy.