Raising Pumpkins???

[bp fick]

None of us can generalize about the deer behaviors, other than from our own intrusion into the deer habitat of our own areas. The old YMMV.

In our area, nothing, no shrub, no sapling, no flower pot, no edible plant escapes their notice and their feeding frenzy. Our lots are criss-crossed with deer tracks in the snow. We see them everyday, literally dozens of them. Around here, the snow is deep and life is hard for the deer, but they thrive somehow. No deer fence, no plants, to say nothing of a blossom or crop.

Below is a contrived, internet photo that is making the rounds, but honestly, it could have been taken in our "back 40"

 

[andrewj]

I have grown pumpkins and have deer. If you have 1 acre worth of pumpkins, deere cannot possible eat all of those blossoms anways. I find that if the deer do eat the blossoms, its fine, it reduces the number of pumpkins grown per vine and allows pumpkins to get bigger. If you are planting pumpkins with other veggies, plant it with corn. No need to plant like farmers corn, but plan indian corn and put one corn every other pumpkin hill. some fun for the kids to take home too. they help each other to grow better. If you are planting alot of pumpkins, then space the rows far apart enough for your tiller for weed control. I use NO weed control other then pulling weeds by hand every around the plants now and then since the tiller takes care of everything in between before it gets too big.

disagree: my 3/4 acre of pumpkns and squash I planted outside the fence were eaten by deer, mostly down to the nubbin, not just blooms!!! taught me a lesson, everything goes inside the fence. fence covers 2 acres.

 

[farmboy12]

None of us can generalize about the deer behaviors, other than from our own intrusion into the deer habitat of our own areas. The old YMMV.

In our area, nothing, no shrub, no sapling, no flower pot, no edible plant escapes their notice and their feeding frenzy. Our lots are criss-crossed with deer tracks in the snow. We see them everyday, literally dozens of them. Around here, the snow is deep and life is hard for the deer, but they thrive somehow. No deer fence, no plants, to say nothing of a blossom or crop.

Below is a contrived, internet photo that is making the rounds, but honestly, it could have been taken in our "back 40"

I had 23 in the back yard the other day. THAT is a lot of deer. Do you see how close the people in the back are?? One's in a blue jacket, and the other in a red jacket. At the end of the driveway. And there's more deer in the woods!

As far as pumpkins, we haven't planted many. But in the 8-10 plants we plant a year, we usually get 6-7 that make it past the deer. They do damage, but it isn't terrible. Since deer supposedly don't eat potatoe plants, you may want to plant a few in there is well.


Kyle

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm guessing it will be hit or miss with regard to the deer. I'll probably give it a try anyway. One other question; can I just use seeds from last years jack-o-lantern for my seeds? I know a guy who did this, and he had a good crop.

 

[redharley]

You can use dryed seeds from last yr. but don't expect the result's of newly purchased seeds. Save some,and buy some to keep cost down if you like but I would spend a few bucks on new seeds just to get a real feel for pumkin rasin if it's your first time. Don't forget to mix in some other fall planting [gourds and indian corn] as the youngster's will like the extra's to take along home. I've been thinking of trying POP CORN,let them take some home and have mom throw it in a pan.

 

[radioman]

ehh -- deer will shy away a little if you spread some human presence. A little tinkle here and little tinkle there.....
When you get a hair cut, save the hair wet it down and spread it out around the garden.
got any kids with noisy go karts or atv's ? have them buzz the garden- deer sure don't like the noise.
It will not deter deer completely but does seem to improve the odds.

 

[charlz]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm guessing it will be hit or miss with regard to the deer. I'll probably give it a try anyway. One other question; can I just use seeds from last years jack-o-lantern for my seeds? I know a guy who did this, and he had a good crop.

As long as they haven't crossed with anything they will be fine.