Pumpkins, Other Large Squash, Sun Flowers, and Melons

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Has anyone tried to grow pumpkins, other large squash, melons and/or sunflowers with any success?  If so, tell us about your experience. 

I am trying to layout another area of my backyard dedicated to growing these big ones and wild sunflower counterparts.... All of this will happen next year, but I can have everything prepared this Summer with some of ideas.   ?

 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Nope, only lettuce, tomato and Herb farmer.   ?

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Someone has to be growing these things other than actual famers?  Otherwise, why sell small seed packets or their seedlings at local hardware stores?  Also, who are the people and kids competing in yearly pumpkin competitions? ?

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I,ve grown some pretty nice pumpkins over the years though I had a crop failure for all my melons this year. Had two small pie pumpkins which I will make into a holiday pie. 

We grew Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkins one year! the trick is to selectively cull the pumpkins to leave 1 to 3 on different vines. Then it's all about water, pest control and growing conditions. I have attached a stock picture !

 

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thank you, hppygr8ful!  I will do as you say.  I am creating a spot for pumpkins next year to harvest by Halloween! ?  

[Zapi791, BSN, LVN, RN]

On 8/25/2021 at 7:11 PM, hppygr8ful said:

the trick is to selectively cull the pumpkins to leave 1 to 3 on different vines. Then it's all about water, pest control and growing conditions.

The squash bugs always seem to take over my squash.  I only harvested 2 decent squash this year before the plants all died from pest.  I refuse to give up, so I planted several seeds of various squash and pumpkins a week ago.  My next strategy is to plant more plants in hopes of increasing my  harvest.  There is nothing better than going into the back yard and picking fresh produce to cook everyday.  Hopefully I will get pattypan squash one day soon. ?

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I don't know if the bugs are attcking your squash or your vines but you can mixed Sevin into your soil to drive bugs away! if you are trying a more organic approach you can add crunched up egg shells to the soil.

Hppy 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Neem oil is an effective squash bug insecticide ---along with using on pepper, lettuce plants, and Magnolia tree fungus!

Ran across this article:

Killing Squash Bugs: How To Identify and Control Anasa Tristis

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 8/26/2021 at 7:41 PM, SummerGarden said:

Thank you, hppygr8ful!  I will do as you say.  I am creating a spot for pumpkins next year to harvest by Halloween! ?  

@SummerGarden Plan for approximately 100 days from planting to maturity. Late June to mid July are the best planting time for Halloween harvest.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 10/6/2021 at 2:24 PM, Zapi791 said:

The squash bugs always seem to take over my squash.  I only harvested 2 decent squash this year before the plants all died from pest.  I refuse to give up, so I planted several seeds of various squash and pumpkins a week ago.  My next strategy is to plant more plants in hopes of increasing my  harvest.  There is nothing better than going into the back yard and picking fresh produce to cook everyday.  Hopefully I will get pattypan squash one day soon. ?

You might want to try companion planting using plants that have natural pest control properties. Try planting your squash with catnip, tansy, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, bee balm and mint.

I prefer not to use chemicals on my garden but some instances require chemical warfare!