As I have said on several occasions, we are always trying new things on the farm. I am afraid our latest endeavor has been a bust.
Hannah said, “Mom lets plant pumpkins! WE can grow pumpkins and people can come pick their own, we can have a ‘Farm Day’ and people can visit!” So what did we do? We planted pumpkins, of course. The thing you have to consider about pumpkins is….they have to be planted in the hottest part of the summer so they are ready to harvest at the right time in the fall. That’s also the time of year when you have been working in the garden harvesting summer produce every day for weeks. When you have been working over a hot stove in the kitchen canning and freezing produce and making jelly and pickles. What I am saying is that’s a time of year when the enthusiasm for gardening is a little low. In addition to a lack of gumption, your other produce is playing out which means all the summer bugs are looking for something new to munch on. And Georgia in July is hot – hot and dry.
So, we came along behind some of our lettuces that had bolted in the heat and planted pumpkin and gourd seed. It was on drip irrigation so it would be okay…..if we remembered to turn it on. That little bit of grass around the plastic mulch isn’t too bad we thought as we poked holes and planted seed, we will pull it up tomorrow. Or maybe, if the grass is high enough maybe it will cover the fruits so the birds won’t peck them. And of course, hmmmm I didn’t even think about pumpkins being in the squash family. Who would of thunk all those squash bugs would move directly from our crookneck patch to the pumpkins. So, I am afraid there is a sad ending to our pumpkin story, but a valuable lesson learned.
Next year we will plant in raised beds in a location well away from our summer crops, prepped and ready to produce pumpkins. This will avoid nutrient leached soils, grass and weed patches and bug infestations. Hopefully, with a little more thought and planning, we will increase production and decrease wormy little pumpkins. We did produce some adorable mini pumpkins which we sold at the Farmer’s Market, but for the most part, the pumpkin crop was a bust. Live and learn! So……no “Great Pumpkin” …..this year…..