I am growing a miniature pumpkin variety from seed for the first time. It’s Jack Be Little Seed that I got from a sponsor of mine Botanical Interests.
No, I’m growing some huge Charlie Brown type pumpkin on my balcony garden. That would be dope though. These get to be about 2-3″.
It’s been about two-months or so since I first planted it (or maybe a month) and the plant is doing amazing. It looks like it is going to start blossoming soon and the leaves are getting large.
I am using a tomato cage to train it vertically since I don’t have much space for it to sprawl.
To help the plant grow upwards, you want to take the tendrils, those are the small viney (if that’s even a word) type things, and guide them up the cage. The tendrils help to support the plant while it’s growing and will wrap around anything that will support them.
Have you ever thought of growing pumpkins in containers? What have you learned learned about growing pumpkins?
What a great idea! When I first saw this post, I wondered how little tomato cages would support a big ole carving pumpkin, but the mini ones should work wonderfully! Keep on keepin’ on, showing people what wonderful ag can be grown in a tiny space.
Hahaa yea growing the huge pumpkins would be fun 😉
We have cantaloupe growing upwards along the side of our patio (by their choice, not ours). Though we have issues with them falling from the vine just before proper picking time, they have actually been quite successful! We’ve harvested 6 melons since June, and its still going strong. Just be careful of something starting between two wires or rails- I had to take a chef’s knife to one of them this week that wedged itself into our railing.
I planted smallish 8-10″ pumpkins for pie making in the containers on my deck that I used for peas. I’m trying to do more succession planting in the pots. They are growing with gusto – we’ll see how GIANT the vines get.
Great share Mike looking forward to seeing them as your Fall Holiday festive decoration and of course seeing what recipes you use them in Annie
I have patty pans growing in a bucket. Pumpkins are definitely on next years list!
I have heard much of growing them in containers, but not had the courage to try. I do know you can help them to climb up a support, and I have heard in many places that if the fruit is large it helps to make it a sling to support it.
Maybe next year…
Used to grow pumpkins for carving,when the children were little. Now I don’t give up the space anymore. Now I buy a JackOLantern pumpkin if I want one, from a stand. They are usually fund raisers for 4H. Pie pumpkins I have a guy at Farmer’s Market. I put in my order for how many I want and he brings them to me so I don’t have to carry. And you don’t need too many pie pumpkins to get a decent # of pies for the year, so also don’t want to give up space for them either.
I have a friend that does that. She only has about a 1 1/2 foot deep garden along a fence. She makes the pumpkins and melons climb (it’s a 6 ft fence) and then makes slings for the fruit. It’s so cute.
Obviously the slings are to sling shot the produce right?
Picky. Picky. Aren’t we 😉
Gotta make the most of our small spaces!
Yes always next year…hopefully 😉
Nice!
I have lots of ideas for recipes!
Dope. These are starting to get pretty big too.
Who are you to argue with the cantaloupes?
Definitely picky. Tomatoes are always priority.
I am, also, using a tomato cage to train my pumpkin to grow vertical. However, it out grew the cage so I moved it next to a small tree/bush and it is now growing up that. Next year, I’m going to use my son’s old crib as a trellis for pumpkin, watermelon, and cucumber. What a great way to recycle and old unsafe (drop side) crib 😀
Nice. Just make sure your son isn’t in the crib 😉
Nice. Just make sure your son isn’t in the crib 😉
Wow, I’m glad you said something; I’m not sure that I would have thought to check, hehe.
how is your pumpkin comming along? how is the rest of your garden? I dont think we have seen an update on your whole garden lately!
how is your pumpkin comming along? how is the rest of your garden? I dont think we have seen an update on your whole garden lately!
Have an update coming up tomorrow. Thanks for asking!
This is a picture of the beginning of the large type of pumpkin. I’ve not had good times with the pumpkin plants much yet. However, here we go, pumpkin growing! Finally! I start off with the tomato cages and insert tall bamboo poles at angles all around the plant and tomato cage. After tying the over lapping poles to the tomato cage, I then wait for the pumpkin plant to grow and watch the tendrils grab onto the structure. I grow in 15 gallon containers, in Southern Nevada. It really can be done in small spaces!! Thanks for showing us “how to” Mike.
Nice. Sounds like you got it down!