Water Stressed Pumpkins
Hi all!
I was recently given a small patch of allotment to look after as the owner is finding it hard to keep up with the large area he has.
I decided to grow Pumpkins this year to save money at Halloween and just because I've never grown them before!
I planted the seeds back in February I believe, put them in the conservatory on the windowsill and covered the seed tray in cling film. It took a while, they were the last seeds to emerge, but they suddenly shot up out of the soil overnight and were doing so well! They were healthy, strong and I was very pleased with them!
Come early April, the weather warmed right up and I didn't think we would be having anymore frosts in the area (Norfolk) so I planted them in the ground on the allotment.
At first they were doing well and I covered them in netting to keep the pigeons at bay.
I run my own business. Work suddenly became hectic and I just couldn't find the time to get to the allotment to water all my plants - and this was a dry period.
I finally managed to get up there only to find my pumpkins are yellowing and wilted. I'm so disappointed in myself!
What I would like to ask is firstly, does anybody think they still have a chance? Secondly, I added mature horse manure to the soil before planting the pumpkins - could they be suffering from a burn from the manure?
My carrots, tomatoes and potatoes are all doing well still - its just my pumpkins.
Any help is much appreciated - and yes - its all my fault I know
Posts
Hi Scroggin,

Thank you for your quick reply!
I did wonder about the timing of planting them out and today in Norfolk its been snowing, sleeting and hailing!!! Its turned quite cold so I'm guessing I'm going to lose them.
I have another packet I bought so I will take your advice and sow some more, then wait until June to plant out.
Thank you
Just to confirm - I'm in Norfolk and wouldn't consider plantjng out squash before early June ... Good luck with the next lot
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.