How Often Should You Be Watering Pumpkins In Your Garden?
Pumpkins are a popular garden addition both for the fruit they bear and their decorative appeal. They are relatively easy to grow and produce a large crop of delicious fruit. However, pumpkins do need a lot of water, especially during the fruiting stage. As a general rule of thumb, pumpkins need about 1 inch of water per week.
You may need to water more often during hot, dry weather or if your pumpkins are planted in sandy soil. Pumpkins need more water in hot, dry climates than in cool, wet climates. Sandy soils drain more quickly than clay soils, so pumpkins planted in sandy soils must be watered more often.
Pumpkins also need more water during the fruiting stage than during the seedling or vine growth stage. To check if your pumpkins need water, stick your finger into the soil at the base of the plant. If the soil is dry to the touch, it's time to water.
How you water pumpkins is as important as how often
When watering pumpkins, it's important to water deeply and make sure water is dispersed evenly. This will encourage the roots to grow deep into the soil, which will help the plant to withstand drought conditions. Add mulch around the pumpkins to help retain moisture in the soil.
The best time to water pumpkins is in the morning because it gives the soil time to dry out before nightfall, which will help to prevent fungal diseases. Avoid watering pumpkins from overhead. This can splash water onto the leaves and fruit, which can lead to disease. Instead, water them at the base of the plant.
Some signs that your pumpkins need more water are if the leaves are wilted or if the fruit is small, stunted, or not ripening evenly. You may also notice that the pumpkins are dropping off the vine before they are fully mature. If you see any of these signs, your pumpkins may need to be watered more often.