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Vegetable Gardening

Pumpkin in raised bed

9 years ago

Hi all,

I have a single pumpkin plant that I'd like to plant in a raised garden bed. My beds are 4'x12' but since I have limited space I'd like to use as little space as possible in order to plant other vegetables in the same bed. I would like to train the vines to all go one direction - over the side of the bed and onto the ground, where I can let them sprawl. How much space inside of the bed would I need to allow for the plant (assuming it's possible to train all the vines over the side)?

Thanks!

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Comments (6)

digdirt2
9 years ago
Depends on the variety. Not all variety plants are the same size or require the same room.

Dave
uncgdc_7b
Original Author
9 years ago
Dave, not sure the variety, and probably won't know until it grows :). I guess I'll just give it a try and see what happens.
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Peter (6b SE NY)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Don't underestimate pumpkins. They are massive plants that take over the garden (typically but depends a little on variety.)
uncgdc_7b
Original Author
9 years ago
Peter, is it possible to train the vines over the side of a bed (and onto the ground) to keep it from taking over? Or will it do it's own thing.
Peter (6b SE NY)
9 years ago
In my (limited) experience, not really. You can do a bit of training, but the vines are brittle and difficult to control. You can kind of direct it in one direction but trying to keep it in one direction only I don't think will work out. If they can sprawl out in 3 directions, then ok that might work.

This is a picture of my Small Sugar pumpkins from last year, at maybe 65% size. This is 2 plants but mostly just one in the picture. As you can see, it is taking over. They had like 10x10 space in the garden but that wasn't even close to enough. They grew out over the Spirea, onto the ground.. it was a mess. That fence is 6' high.

This is in the garden when they were maybe 40-50% size - 2 plants
uncgdc_7b
Original Author
9 years ago
Gotcha - thanks for the pics - that helps put things in perspective. I think I'll be looking for a place on the ground to plant it, or give to someone who has a little more room.

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