Organic Gardening: Growing Halloween Pumpkins

If you love pumpkins and Halloween, you're going to need an organic method of growing some right now. Growing an organic, hanging pumpkin garden is even more fun than the usual method.

You will need some hanging planters, about 2 gallon capacity.

The best seed for such a garden is Snackjack Pumpkin seed. These little wonders will only grow to about 3 lb. at their peak.

-Fill your planters with organic material, and insert just 2 seeds in each pot.

-Your plants can endure late afternoon sun, and will need plenty to attract bees for healthy pollination.

-Don't water your pumpkins until the leaves are wilting heavily, they hate to have 'wet feet' and will die easily if kept too damp, Pumpkins need to dry out between each watering.

-A large span to hang them is best for a great effect. If you can hang them from your eves on the sunny side of your home, they will send a beautiful trail of runners down which will also provide plenty of shade to your windows in the hotter months.

-Get your pantyhose ready; if you happen to get a few pumpkins which are extra heavy, you can slip it into the leg of your old hose and sling it back up to fasten it to the pot. This will stop the weight of the pumpkin from splitting the vine and/or dropping on someone if the plant snaps.

-Hang some Halloween decorations through the vines, paint scary faces on them and run a string of fairy lights. Gouge holes for eyes and tuck part of a string of lights into the head to make the faces glow.

If you plan to keep some for eating, pumpkins should be stored in a dry airy place. In the outdoors is OK unless you have exteme cold weather and snowfall, then in a shed is best. Construct a wire rack or recycle an old wire bed base. Always make sure to store them stalk down. Some pumpkins have a dip in the top where the stalk emerges and water will accumulate and cause them to rot.
*You may need to protect them from rodents.

When next Halloween is approaching, you will already have pumpkins to sell by the roadside or at the flea market long before anyone has even harvested theirs! Ask a few local stores if you can place a large basket of them in their shop by the side of the counter. Craft supply stores will love this if you offer them a decent commission. If they don't all sell, just take them home and store for another year. Pumpkins keep very well if stored correctly while you wait for another market for them.

If you love roasted pumpkin seeds, Snackjack or Triple Treat pumpkins are best for this too. They produce seeds without hulls. Baby Bear is another variety, although these are much smaller at just 1 - lb. each.