Pumpkins

Last post 13-07-2011 10:05 PM by lillyrose. 8 replies.

• 11/07/2011 06:16 PM
  lillyrose Location: kent Joined on: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 2,973	Reply | Contact  I am growing a pumpkin plant for the first time this year. It is running all round my veggie garden and is already a good 15 feet long. My question is, do I need to pitch the end of when it gets a certain number of baby pumpkins or just let it do its thing.

• 11/07/2011 10:51 PM	In reply to
  Scott Location: South Yorkshire Joined on: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 138	Reply | Contact If you want a real monster, pinch out the tip after after two fruits have set. Let them grow, then remove the smallest..

• 12/07/2011 08:43 AM	In reply to
  lillyrose Location: kent Joined on: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 2,973	Reply | Contact  Thankyou Scott

• 12/07/2011 04:57 PM

  In reply to

  EvaInNL Location: Holland Joined on: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 1,758

  Reply | Contact  Dust some soil over the cut ends to help it heal and stop any nastiness going into the plant. I pruned (for lack of a better word) my pumpkin plant yesterday, I chopped quite a bit off making sure to leave 2 pairs of leaves behind any fruit or flowers. If you want to be extra sure your pumkins are getting enough water and nutrients then shovel some soil over the stem in front of the fruits, this will encourage roots to form from the stem and give them some extra nourishment. Do this while Moo isn't watching though..

• 12/07/2011 06:07 PM	In reply to
  lillyrose Location: kent Joined on: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 2,973	Reply | Contact Thanks Sis, that is something new I have learnt, will do that and yes will make sure Moo isn't around LOL

• 12/07/2011 09:57 PM	In reply to
  Tim Alderman Location: SE London NW Kent Joined on: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 159	Reply | Contact Can you eat the immature pumpkins, just at say 6" dia. and if so How? I mean I know you can eat them but are they palatable at that size, and age.? My Pumkins are Defender and can grow Ginormous.............Tim

• 13/07/2011 09:18 AM

  In reply to

  EvaInNL Location: Holland Joined on: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 1,758

  Reply | Contact I've not tried it myself Tim but I guess you could. When the pumpkins are still fresh and young I eat the skins as well as they are still very thin and soft (and I'm too lazy to peel them ).  Try a simple stir fry or bake them in the oven - cut in half, skin side down sprinkle with oil, muscavado sugar (golden or maple syrup works well too) and thyme and chili flakes, bake at 180C for about half an hour.

• 13/07/2011 08:47 PM	In reply to
  Tim Alderman Location: SE London NW Kent Joined on: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 159	Reply | Contact Thanks eva, I will give it a try. I am overrun with courgettes and squashes. Lilyrose sorry to hijack your thread.

• 13/07/2011 10:05 PM	In reply to
  lillyrose Location: kent Joined on: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 2,973	Reply | Contact No probs Tim