How to Grow Miniature Pumpkins

How to Grow Miniature Pumpkins in Your Garden

Big pumpkins, small pumpkins, dontcha just love all pumpkins!? There’s a lot said and written about Jack O’Lanterns and giant pumpkins. But, just a wee little bit is written about those cute, little miniature pumpkins. So, let’s talk about how to grow miniature pumpkins. While they are a vining crop like their big brother the Jack O’Lantern, they take up less space in the garden. As a matter of fact, you can grow miniature pumpkins in almost no space at all. Try growing miniature Jack Be Little pumpkins and Baby Boo pumpkins up a fence or trellis. In addition to taking up less space, the fruit will be cleaner when kept off the ground. Sound like fun? It is! So, grab a packet of miniature pumpkin seeds and let’s get growing.

Speaking of space-constrained, if you don’t have a garden, try growing them in a five-gallon bucket on your balcony or deck. Either train them to go around the railing of your deck or just let the vines hang down from it.

Varieties of Miniature Pumpkins

Orange-colored varieties include Jack Be Little pumpkin, also called “JBL”, and Wee B. Little.

White-colored: We only know of one variety, called “Baby Boo pumpkins”.

You can often find miniature pumpkin seeds in a gourd mixture (See Harvest Blend pictured above). That’s because these cute little “pumpkins” that fit in the palm of your hand are actually gourds. (But, we won’t tell anyone that, if you don’t!)

More on Varieties of Pumpkins – In addition to Jack Be Little Pumpkins, there are far more varieties to grow.

Nutritional Value

While many of us never give eating miniature pumpkins a thought, they are indeed edible. Of course, the nutritional values below may vary by variety of miniature pumpkin.

One cup of miniature pumpkin contains approximately:

62 calories
16 g carbs
0 cholesterol
0.2 g fat
1.2 g fiber
2.4 g protein
2 mg sodium

Note: Pumpkin is gluten-free.

Miniature Pumpkin Plant Specifications

Days to Harvest: 45 to 100 days, depending upon variety and growing conditions.

Plant vine length: Four to eight feet long.

Light Needs: Full, direct sunlight

Ideal Soil pH : 5,5 – 7.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10

Number of Varieties: Dozens.

Plant Type: Annual

Deer Resistant? No. Deer and rabbits make a meal of the tender growing tops. Deer eat the ripe fruit in the Fall when other food becomes scarce.

Native To: North, Central, and South America.

Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo

How to Grow Miniature Pumpkins - Planting Seeds

Miniature Pumpkin seeds can be started indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant two to three seeds in each pot. Then, thin to one seedling shortly after the seeds sprout.

Importantly, as soon as they sprout give them as much sun as possible.

Garden Tip: To minimize transplant shock, plant miniature pumpkin seeds into peat pots or peat pellets.

For outdoor starts, sow seeds directly into your garden. Plant these tender annuals outdoors after the last frost date for your area.

Days to Germination: 7 – 10 days. Longer in cool soil.

How to Grow Miniature Pumpkins - Season Long Care

Light Requirement

Grow pumpkins in full sun. Grow them in a location where it will receive at least eight to ten hours of bright, direct sun. For optimal plant and fruit growth, select a planting location where it will receive full sun from sunrise to sunset.

Planting and Soil Needs

Grow miniature pumpkins like you would grow regular Jack O’Lantern pumpkins. They are big feeders. So, plant miniature pumpkin seeds in rich, well-draining soil. Mix in ample amounts of compost and manure before planting.

Miniature pumpkins are vining plants. Allow ample space for the vines to sprawl across the ground. For proper spacing, read the instructions on the back of the seed packet for the variety you grow.

If you are limited in your garden space, plant them where they can grow on a trellis or fence. Additionally, because the fruit does not touch the ground, it is cleaner.

You can also grow them in a container. But, select a very large one. The container will hold limited amounts of water and nutrients. So, keep an eye on the moisture level of the soil. And, add fertilizer more frequently. Liquid fertilizer is great for any potted plant, including miniature pumpkins.

Fertilizer Needs

As you gain experience how to grow miniature pumpkins, you will quickly learn that the plants are big feeders. They need very rich soil, with lots of compost and manure (if you can get it). Fertilize regularly. Use a high nitrogen formula in early plant growth. Switch over to a fertilizer high in Phosphorous (the middle number) just before the blooming period.

And, don’t hesitate to occasionally give the plants a liquid fertilizer, too. Spray the liquid fertilizer on the leaves, because the leaves will absorb it.

Water Needs

The plants also need lots of water. Try to keep the soil moist, not wet, at all times. If the soil dries out, then it stresses the plant and may cause the fruit to ripen prematurely. Water more deeply as the season progresses and the roots grow deeper into the soil.

It is also important to avoid getting the leaves wet, if possible. Heat and humidity are the perfect ingredient for powdery mildew, a major problem for your pumpkin patch. Also, avoid watering near dark.

Other Steps

Keep the pumpkin patch well-weeded all season long. Otherwise, the weeds will rob valuable nutrients and soil moisture.

We highly recommend surrounding your pumpkin patch with a fence to keep deer and rabbits out.

On occasion, pollination can be a problem. For tips and information on pollination, see:

It’s all in the Stem! The stem gives pumpkins character. This is even more true with your miniature pumpkins. When harvesting, be careful not to break the stem. Use a sharp knife to cut the stem. And, never hold or carry a pumpkin by the stem, as it can break. This is true even with miniature pumpkins.

Also see:

Plant Problems

Soil Temperatures

Ideal Soil pH for all vegetables.

Insects and Pests

Gardeners love pumpkins. Insects and a wide variety of pests love ’em, too. The most common insects are Cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, and squash bugs. Dusting or spraying regularly before an infestation occurs, is recommended.

Among the animals that love pumpkins (both the plants and the fruit) are bunnies, woodchucks, squirrels, and deer. Use animal repellent like pepper and garlic sprays as needed. More on sprays.

Plant Disease

A variety of diseases affect pumpkin plants, most notable is powdery mildew. Apply fungicides at the first sign of a problem. Better still, apply them before plant disease problems occur. Hot, humid weather encourages pumpkin diseases.

Tip: Allow enough time after watering for the leaves to dry before evening. Water on the leaves in warm weather encourages plant disease.

How to Grow Miniature Pumpkins - Harvest Time

Days to Maturity: Depending upon variety, plan up to 100 days for these little pumpkins to grow and ripen. We always recommend new growers add a few days to this estimate.

Jack Be Little Pumpkins plants and other miniature varieties produce up to 8-10 cute, little pumpkin fruits.

Harvest when they turn completely orange, and the stem has dried and turned brown. Cut the stem near the vine with a sharp knife. Also, be careful not to break the stem.

Use miniature pumpkins in decorating projects and displays. They look great in any and every room of your house.

Yes, miniature pumpkins are edible. Use them in a variety of recipes. They are great stuffed, or as bowls to serve puddings or Jell-O.