The seed packets say to sow pumpkin seeds in June, after the ground has warmed up. But you want your pumpkins to grow bigger than anyone else in the neighborhood, to make the best Jack-o-Lantern for Halloween! You'll need to get started now, since the biggest pumpkins need plenty of time, and if you start the seeds indoors in April, you'll get a head start on any that are grown from seeding the garden. But that's just the beginning. You'll need the proper variety of giant pumpkin seeds, lots of room, very good soil that you can amend now, and lots of water and fertilizer.
Giant pumpkins require a lot of care, but you can start with instructions from Almanac. If you just want good-sized pumpkins for carving this fall, they've got a guide to help you grow those, too.
(Image credit: Eric Kilby)
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