From the arenaceous beaches of the Jersey Shore to the rolled hills of Hunterdon County , New Jersey has a various clime that makes it a great place to grow pumpkins . With both hot and humid summers and moth-eaten winters , New Jersey provides the perfect condition for growing pumpkins .
The warm days and cool nights give up pumpkin to turn to their full size of it and the soft temperatures during the summertime forbid the pumpkins from getting too live and burning at the stake . In add-on , the unshakable rain throughout the arise season aid to keep the soil moist and the plant life healthy . With the right amount of temperateness and a favorable mood , New Jersey is an idealistic lieu to develop autumn pumpkin .
Popular pumpkin varieties
Selecting the right variety of pumpkin for your design and clime is an important step in originate pumpkins . If you live in a clime with a shorter spring up 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 harvest :
Please note that the days to harvest time may motley depending on growing conditions , so it ’s best to refer to the source bundle or consult with a local horticulture expert for more specific info .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in New Jersey
If you want to get a head start on your pumpkin crop or live in a region with a short growing season , starting yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a nifty pick . Generally speaking , you should aspire to set off your Cucurbita pepo seed indoors about 4 - 6 hebdomad before you plan to transplant them outside . This timing will give the seedlings prison term to age and develop unattackable root systems , without becoming too tumid or theme - spring . In New Jersey , you should plant your pumpkin vine seed indoors around :
To start your pumpkin seeds indoors , you ’ll require to gather some supply , include source - starting tray , seed - starting mixture , and a grow light or cheery windowsill . Fill the source - starting trays with the seed - starting mix , and implant one or two pumpkin seeds per cell , planting the seeds about 1 inch cryptical .
commit the seed trays in a warm , bright location , and keep the soil systematically moist . Once the come have burgeon forth and developed their first set of genuine leave , you may begin to fertilise them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedlings keep to grow , you may call for to thin them out to one industrial plant per cell to foreclose overcrowding . It ’s also crucial to inure off your seedlings before transplanting them alfresco , gradually let on them to out-of-door conditions over the course of several days to avoid jar . With proper care and attention , your indoor - grown pumpkin seedling will be ready to transplant outdoors and proceed their growth into mature , beautiful pumpkins .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedling have grow into sturdy plant and the weather has warm up up , it ’s time to transplant them outside . Before transplanting , it ’s important to make certain that the grime temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° speed of light ) and that there is no longer a risk of frost . The concluding icing date in New Jersey is :
To prepare your garden bed for pumpkin start , choose a cheery location with well - draining dirt . Add tidy sum of compost or well - rotted manure to the soil , as pumpkin are heavy confluent and require lots of nutrients to thrive .
When planting your pumpkin start , verify to space them about 3 - 5 metrical foot aside , depending on the variety . Dig a cakehole that is slightly big than the tooth root ball of the seedling , and localise the seedling into the yap , piddle certain to bury it up to its first circle of true leaf . This will encourage the plant to develop a strong origin organisation and establish itself in the soil .
After planting , water your Cucurbita pepo start thoroughly and on a regular basis , making sure to keep the soil systematically moist but not waterlogged . add a layer of mulch around the plants can help retain moisture and forbid weeds .
As the pumpkin plants continue to develop , you may postulate to supply extra backup in the form of trellises or cages to keep the vines from straggle too far and taking up too much distance . With proper attention and attention , your pumpkin vine starts will produce into ripe plant and produce beautiful , healthy pumpkins just in meter for the harvest time of year .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your autumn pumpkin alfresco , it ’s crucial to leave them with right forethought . Doing so will help you get the most out of your pumpkin plant and have an awing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in New Jersey
pumpkin vine are typically ready to harvest when they have reached their full size and the vines have started to dry out out . Here are some sign of the zodiac that your pumpkins are ready to be picked :
When harvesting pumpkins , it ’s important to use sharp , clean shears or a knife to cut the root about 2 inches ( 5 cm ) above the fruit . Avoid draw in or twisting the autumn pumpkin , which can damage the stem and make it more susceptible to waste . After harvest home , lay in your pumpkins in a cool , dry place with good air circulation to help them last longer .
