Pumpkins are a popular crop to spring up in Idaho , where the climate is ideal for bring on large , good for you pumpkins . With blistering summer and cold wintertime , the ground in Idaho produces pumpkins that are large and angelical , consummate for carving into jack - oxygen - lantern , bake pies , and making a variety of recipe .
The days are long and quick throughout the summer , leave the pumpkins plenty of prison term to grow and ripen . In the fall , the days are still bright and sunny , allowing the pumpkins to finish ripen in metre for harvest . With the right combination of temperature , sunshine , and water , Idaho is an idealistic locating for growing tasty , healthy pumpkins .
Popular pumpkin varieties
Selecting the proper smorgasbord of pumpkins for your purposes and clime is an significant step in growing pumpkins . If you last in a climate with a shorter grow time of year , you ’ll want to pick a variety that matures in under 100 days . These are some popular pumpkin varieties and their approximate days to reap :
Please remark that the days to crop may motley depending on growing condition , so it ’s well to touch on to the seed packet or consult with a local gardening expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in Idaho
If you want to get a caput start on your pumpkin craw or know in a region with a shorter growing season , starting yourpumpkin seed indoorscan be a great option . Generally speaking , you should aim to set out your Cucurbita pepo seeds indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you project to transfer them alfresco . This timing will give the seedling time to mature and develop inviolable base system , without becoming too expectant or antecedent - bound . In Idaho , you should plant your Cucurbita pepo seeds indoors around :
To start your pumpkin seeds indoors , you ’ll need to gather some supplies , including seed - starting tray , cum - start mix , and a grow brightness or cheery windowsill . take the seminal fluid - go trays with the seed - start mixture , and plant one or two pumpkin seeds per cellphone , planting the cum about 1 in deep .
Place the seed tray in a warm , shining location , and keep the soil systematically moist . Once the source have germinate and developed their first band of true leaves , you may begin to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedlings continue to grow , you may demand to thin them out to one plant per cell to prevent overcrowding . It ’s also important to harden off your seedlings before transplanting them alfresco , gradually exposing them to outdoor consideration over the trend of several days to invalidate shock . With right care and attention , your indoor - grown pumpkin seedlings will be ready to transplant out of doors and continue their growth into mature , beautiful pumpkins .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedling have uprise into sturdy plants and the weather has warm up up , it ’s fourth dimension to transplant them outdoors . Before transplant , it ’s crucial to make certain that the stain temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° one C ) and that there is no longer a risk of frost . The terminal frost appointment in Idaho is :
To prepare your garden layer for pumpkin start , choose a sunny location with well - drain soil . Add plenty of compost or well - rotted manure to the soil , as pumpkin vine are heavy bird feeder and require lots of nutrients to thrive .
When plant your Cucurbita pepo starts , check that to space them about 3 - 5 foot aside , depending on the variety . toil a cakehole that is more or less larger than the root chunk of the seedling , and site the seedling into the gob , draw sure to forget it up to its first set of true leaves . This will encourage the works to grow a strong root arrangement and instal itself in the grime .
After planting , irrigate your pumpkin starts thoroughly and regularly , making certain to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged . Adding a layer of mulch around the plant can help hold wet and prevent weeds .
As the pumpkin flora continue to grow , you may want to provide additional support in the form of trellises or cages to keep the vines from straggle too far and taking up too much space . With right tending and tending , your pumpkin vine starts will grow into matured plants and produce beautiful , healthy pumpkins just in time for the harvest time of year .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your pumpkins alfresco , it ’s important to put up them with right care . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plants and have an amazing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in Idaho
Pumpkins are typically ready to harvest when they have contact their full size and the vines have started to dry out . Here are some signal that your autumn pumpkin are ready to be pick :
When harvesting pumpkins , it ’s of import to use shrill , clean shear or a knife to turn off the stem about 2 inch ( 5 cm ) above the yield . obviate pulling or twisting the pumpkin vine , which can damage the prow and make it more susceptible to waste . After harvest , store your pumpkins in a cool , dry place with full air circulation to aid them last longer .
