Growing Pumpkins

[Barmaid]

We are carving Jack O Lanterns today. My step son has just asked if we can save the seeds to grow our own pumpkin for next year. Can we do this? When do we plant them? How easy are they to grow?

[Clanad]

Poblem is, at least here in the U.S., is that most pumpkins are hybrids... that is they are bred by intemixing two or more sub-species of pumpkins. This is done to achieve a desired "style" of pumpkin. The use of the resulting hybridized seeds often either won't grow or they revert to one of the sub-species used and produce a fruit nothing like you intended... best to buy a new packet in the spring or, better yet, any good garden supply store will have "started" plantings that give you a head start on the season. In most cases, be sure to plant at least two or more to assure pollinization... Good luck!

[rowanwitch]

buy seed selected to give medium size fruits..start the plants on a .you will need to give them lots of space and really feed them well starting with manure and topping up with liquid feed most of the summer...quite easy just follow the info on the seed packets

[Barmaid]

Thanks both. My step son is insistent he is going to grow his own from the saved seeds so I shall just switch them!!!!