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PLANTING INSTRUCTIONSSow seeds directly in the soil. Pumpkins are very sensitive to cold. Make sure the temperature is ideal before sowing.Plant seeds in rows or “pumpkin hills” which are the size of small pitcher mounds. With hills, the land will warm more quickly and the seeds will sprout quickly. This also helps with drainage and pest control.Prepare the hills in advance with old manure dug deep into the soil (12 to 15 inches).Plant the seeds 1 inch deep (4 to 5 seeds per mound). Space mounds 4 to 8 feet apart.Your plants should develop in less than a week and sprout within 5 to 10 days. When the plants are 2 to 3 inches tall, thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill by snipping off unwanted plants.GROWING REQUIREMENTSWATERINGPumpkins are thirsty plants and need lot of water. Water one litre per week.PESTSThe pumpkins that are attacked by pests may show the following signs - Plants show brown blotches or stunted and distorted growth, honeydew substance, white powdery spots on leaves, deformed (bumps) and discolored fruit and leaves, etc. Common pests that attack this crop are Squash bugs, Cucumber beetles, Aphids, Squash Vine Borer, Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose.SOILThey prefer very rich soil that is well-drained and not too soggy. The ideal pumpkin plant soil should have a pH range of 5.5-7.5.SPOTChoose a spot that receives plenty of sunlight to light shadeTEMPERATURESeeds will germinate at 15°C (60°F), but they germinate best at 29-32°C (85°F-90°F)HOW TO HARVESTA pumpkin ripens when its skin turns a rich, strong colour (orange for most varieties).When you thumb the pumpkin, the rind will feel heavy and it will sound empty. Press your nail into the pumpkin’s skin; if it resists puncture, it is fully ripe.Handle pumpkins very gently or they may bruise.To harvest the pumpkin, cut the fruit off the vine carefully with a sharp knife or with the help of pruners, do not pull. Be certain not to trim too close to the pumpkin.If you get a lot of vines and flowers but no pumpkins, you need more bees in your garden to pollinate the flowers.Seeds can last for 6 years.