Pumpkins for many purposes

Pumpkins grow in a south-
facing bed with strawberries
(Photo credit Carl Wilson)

Pumpkins, Cucurbita pepo, are easy to grow if you have room. A 10 to 15 foot vine spread is typical although there are a few bush type varieties (see Wee-B-Little below). Plant from transplants as soon as the weather is warm because they require 90 to 120 days to harvest.

In the photo a home entry walkway is bordered with a bed used to grow strawberries in early summer and pumpkins for fall. A few tulips come through in spring to add some color to this garden. Talk about making good use of garden space for many purposes!

You may want to grow pumpkins for one or many uses including decoration, cooking and baking. Fruit size may also be important to you. Know that there are pumpkins to fit most any requirement.

Baby Bear 

Baby Bear is a small, 3.5 to 5.5 inch pumpkin weighing in at 1.5 to 2 pounds. It is just the right size to use for decoration and sweet so it can be used for pie fillings.

Hijinks

Hijinks is slightly larger at 7.5 inch diameter and 7 to 9 pounds. It's blocky round shape makes it ideal for carving.

Cinderella's Carriage

The pink-red color of Cinderella's Carriage variety will fulfill the fairy-tale dreams of any child. Vines grow flat fruit up to 18 inches round and weighing up to 20 pounds.  The yellow flesh is mildly sweet and ideal for soups and baking.

Pepitas

Pepitas is a new 2016 twist in pumpkins with it's yellow-orange fruit striped with green. Twelve inch round fruit weigh in at about 12 pounds. The hulless seeds can be slow roasted for nutritious snacks and yellow flesh eaten or baked.

Wee-B-Little

Finally, if you have 6 to 8 feet of space try growing Wee-B-Little, a bush type. Fruit is 3.5 inch in diameter and skin a smooth, deep orange. It can be used for decoration, crafts and makes a tasty vegetable when baked as a mature winter squash.

All five varieties mentioned are All-America Selections winners that should grow well in the Intermountain West.

Photo credit - All-America Selections unless noted