You might be surprised but you can actually grow pumpkins in containers. Of course, since pumpkin vines will spread around you need to use a very big container. But once you find one that is big enough then the rest of the process will be easy.
How to Grow Pumpkins in Containers
Know the right time
Pumpkin hate frost so you need to start plant the pumpkin when the temperature has risen higher than 65o F. For colder climate this means you can only start planting around April to late May. But if you have warmer climate than you can start planting in July.Find big size container
It is important for you to find a container that is big enough for the pumpkin to grow. If the container is too small the roots cannot spread out then it might die. Thus make sure that the container is big enough for the pumpkin varieties you want to use.
If you use a smaller pumpkin then you can get a container which is around ten gallons in size. But for larger pumpkins you need to get a container which is around fifteen to twenty five gallons in size.
The container should also have around twenty to twenty four inches width and depth so the pumpkin can grow. Do not forget that the container needs to have good drainage since pumpkins do not like having too much water. Thus, the container should also have holes on the bottom.Give enough sunlight
To grow pumpkins in containers they need to get at minimum 6 hours of sunlight every day. So make sure to find the right spot with enough sunlight to put the container on. Since the containers are large in size they will become very heavy once you fill it with soil. Thus make sure you find the right spot from the start so you do not need to move the container to a new spot later on.Prepare the soil
Put soilless mix on the bottom part of the container which will help the soil to retain its nutrients and moisture. This is important since pumpkins will grow massive in size which means they will need a lot of nutrients to grow.
To provide the nutrient you need to use potting soil which is enhanced with compost. You can add a lot of compost and mix it with the soil before putting it into the container.
Pumpkins need a lot of compost since it can give them nutrients and help to retain water in the container. Once you plant the pumpkin do not forget to top the soil with more compost.Add support
You need to add support for the vines to grow so it would not go down to the ground. Create an A shape large trellis around the container. Make sure that the trellis does not touch any walls to avoid diseases. Then when the pumpkin grows, help the tendrils so they will go around to the trellis instead of going down to the ground.Watering
When you grow pumpkins in containers, then you need to water the pumpkin frequently since it needs a lot of water to grow. Make sure that the soil is moist so you need to water it deeply. Pour the water on the base so it would not touch the pumpkin’s foliage.Add mulch
Mulch will help your pumpkin to grow since it can slow down the water evaporation from the soil which will make it moist longer. It can also help to reduce the soil temperature and keep it cooler especially in summer heat. Put mulch around the pumpkin only when it has grown for a few inches so you do not accidentally cover the pumpkin with mulchy.Add fertilizer
If you want your pumpkin to grow bigger then you need to add plenty of fertilizers. Add balanced fertilizer at an early stage when the pumpkin starts to grow. Then as time goes you can start reducing the nitrogen level in the fertilizer.
You can use 5-15-15 fertilizer to give the pumpkin more phosphorus and potassium with less nitrogen. You can add this fertilizer once every two weeks when the pumpkin starts to produce flowers.
When you successfully grow pumpkins in containers then you will be able to harvest it in 90 to 120 days. Then you can enjoy the fruit of your hard work.