What soil conditions are best for growing Pumpkins?

Question

Also what other things are there that would help in growing a great pumpkin patch. Light? Sun? etc.
What time of year would be best to plant them? I am in Ontario Canada.

Answer 1

for really big pumpkins, you need to start them inside early (late march or early april) plant 2 or 3 seeds in a 6" pot using a good quality potting soil (one with perlite and slow release fertilizer is best). leave the strongest seedling and pull out the others (pull carefully, or just cut them off level with the soil). place the pot in a very bright location. or use artificial fluorescent light fixtures. they should have minimum 14 hours per day of strong light. when the soil is warm outside and nights are no longer freezing, transplant the potted plant into the garden. turn the pot upside down and carefully remove the soil and rootball. prepare the soil into which you are planting it by combining 1 part peat moss, 1 part well-composted mulch, 1 part well-rotted manure, and 3 parts of the garden soil. mix these ingredients thoroughly and plant the potted pumpkin into it, making sure that the rootball is surrounded by the ammended soil on bottom and allaround the sides. on the top surface put down a layer of bark mulch, gravel, or rough (chunky) compost. you will have the best luck with the transplant if you do it on an overcast day, just before a rain is expected. water thoroughly and regularily and deeply. apply a water-soluble fertilizer starting 2 weeks after planting, and every 2 weeks thereafter. 20-20-20, or 15-15-15 should be good for your purpose. you can also use "manure tea" made by steeping a few handfuls of well-rotted, crumbly manure in a gallon of water for a couple of days. dont over-fertilize though. every 2 weeks is sufficient (every 10 days at the most, if you think it needs more)
dont forget to cover with an upside down bucket if late frost threatens.Plant it in FULL sun