Site Preparation and Soil:

Pumpkins can be grown on most soil types, providing these are well drained and are of good fertility. Pumpkins are heavy feeders and thrive on large amounts of organic or pen manure. Mix compost or well rotted manure into the bed to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients. Pumpkins grow best in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

The soil should be well prepared to provide good tillage to approximately 30 cm deep and to assist in root penetration. If available, well processed pen manure should be incorporated in the soil during ploughing and rotovation operations. When there is the risk of water logging, especially in low-lying areas, plants should be planted on raised beds so that excess water can be removed from the root zone.

On soils with a high clay content, there is a greater risk of more problems with root and stem diseases because of the wetter soil surface and higher humidity in the lower canopy especially in the rainy season. In this instance there is often a benefit from planting on raised beds. Managing the crop on heavier soils is often aggravated by excessive moisture.  In heavy clays, land preparation operations such as ploughing and rotovation help to improve the soil structure and so assist in drainage.

In low-lying areas in particular, where the drainage is poor, cambered beds are recommended.

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