Welcome back to Anjie’s Garden! This season, I embarked on an exciting pumpkin-growing journey, and let me tell you—it was nothing short of an adventure. From unexpected plant battles to the triumph of harvesting the biggest pumpkin I’ve ever grown, this story has it all!
Planting the Seeds of Hope
In May 2024, with a heart full of excitement, I planted pumpkin seeds I had purchased from an Etsy store. This was my first time gardening at our new home, so I wasn’t sure how things would turn out. After preparing the ground with compost and a generous layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay, I carefully placed each seed into tiny holes and waited.
Would they grow? Only time would tell.
The Unexpected Takeover
Soon, the seedlings emerged, and my excitement grew. But then came an unforeseen challenge—the attack of the cow peas! Unbeknownst to me, I had planted cow peas alongside my pumpkins, thinking they would be great companions. What I didn’t anticipate was how prolific they would be!
Before I knew it, the cow peas had taken over the garden, sprawling across every inch of space and choking out the pumpkin plants. The pumpkins were struggling for sunlight, hidden beneath the dense foliage of their aggressive neighbors.
A Tough Decision
While cow peas are fantastic nitrogen fixers and beneficial for soil health, I quickly realized they were not ideal companions for vining plants like pumpkins. The overabundance of nitrogen from the mulch and cow peas led to lush foliage but minimal fruit production.
I had to make a tough decision—I uprooted the cow peas to give my pumpkin plants the breathing room they needed. It felt drastic, but it was necessary for my pumpkins to thrive.
The Sweet Reward
With their newfound freedom, my pumpkins finally had the chance to flourish. Though it was late in the season, one pumpkin managed to defy the odds. It grew into the biggest pumpkin I have ever seen in my garden!
My husband, who absolutely loves pumpkin, was thrilled. We made delicious soups and even enjoyed it alongside a hearty plate of curried chicken—Jamaican style!
Lessons from the Patch
Every gardening season teaches valuable lessons, and this one was no exception:
🌱 Pumpkins can be direct sown and do well with minimal intervention.
☀️ Pumpkins need lots of sunlight—beware of aggressive companion plants!
🌾 Mulch is excellent for weed control, but too much nitrogen can lead to excessive greenery and fewer fruits.
🌿 Be mindful when pairing plants—some companions can become competitors!
This season’s pumpkin adventure reminded me that gardening is full of surprises, challenges, and rewarding moments. Even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always something to learn and appreciate.
Until next time, happy gardening! 🌿🎃
