If you’re growing pumpkins in your garden, you’ll want to make sure that you water them frequently. Pumpkins are heavy feeders and require a lot of water.
How Often to Water Pumpkins?
Pumpkin plants will need at least 1 inch of water per week. To determine how often you should water your pumpkins, count how many days have gone by since the last time you watered them.
If it’s been more than 10 days since they were last watered, give them an inch of water per week until they’ve had at least 2 inches in total over the past two weeks.
Pumpkins Water Requirements
Pumpkin plants need a lot of water to grow big and strong, but they do need less water than other types of squash. You should be able to tell when your pumpkin plant needs more water by looking at the leaves and soil around it, but if you aren’t sure, use these tips to help guide you through watering your pumpkin plants:
The soil should feel moist about an inch below the surface.
The leaves should be glossy with no signs of wilting or drooping. If you see this happening on some leaves while others are still green and healthy looking, then chances are good that your plant needs water right away!
How To Tell It’s Time to Water Your Pumpkins
The two most common ways to tell if your pumpkin needs water are by looking at the leaves and stem.
Look at the Leaf
If the leaves are wilted or turning yellow, you should give the pumpkin a little bit of water. If they’re still green and perky, then you’re good for now.
Check the Stem
When a pumpkin is thirsty, it will start to appear “leggy” or stretched out instead of a compact like it normally would be. You can fix this problem by giving it some water.
How to Water Pumpkins
Watering pumpkins can be a bit difficult because they are so large and heavy. You will need to find the right method that works best for you.
Method 1: Watering Pumpkins with a Hose
This is probably the easiest method of watering pumpkins but it can also be the most inefficient if you don’t have the right equipment. For this method, you will need a hose that has an adjustable nozzle, one that can be set to a spray pattern.
The larger your pumpkin is, the more water it will need, and the more likely it is that you will have to water it often. If you have a large pumpkin, you should try not to let it sit in water for too long as this can cause rot on the bottom of your pumpkin and make it easier for insects to grow inside of it.
Method 2: Watering Pumpkins with a Water Spritzer Bottle
A good way to water your growing pumpkin plants is by using a water spritzer bottle or similar device that shoots out small amounts of water at once rather than allowing them to soak up all of their moisture at once like they would if they were watering with a hose or watering can.
Signs of Excessive Pumpkins Watering
Watering pumpkins can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Too much and they’ll rot, too little and they’ll die.
If you’re worried that your pumpkin is overwatered, there are a few signs to look out for.
Pumpkin leaves will appear dull and floppy. If the leaves are droopy or dying back, it’s a sign that the plant has been overwatered. You can tell by comparing them to healthy plants of the same variety.
The pumpkin itself will be soft and flabby if it’s been overwatered. The skin should be firm and taut when you press gently on it with your finger. A soft skin indicates that the pumpkin needs more water, while a firm one means it’s receiving enough water but could use more nutrients.
Pumpkins need at least an inch of water per week during the growing season (April through October).
Final Thoughts
Pumpkins need about 1 inch of water per week during the summer months. If you’re growing them in containers, check the soil daily and give them as much water as they need at each watering session. Heavy rain can supply most of their water needs for several days or even weeks if it’s enough to soak through 4 inches or more of soil (or mulch).
