Uncle Alan says start right away by planting individual seeds in small pots. "Jack Of All Trades" is a good, versatile variety for eating and for making lanterns. Plant out seedlings in early June, six feet apart, in a sunny spot. Slugs and snails massacre the young, tender plants so protect for a while with cloches (you can use 2 litre plastic drinks bottles cut in half). Don't rely on insects for pollination but use a small, art paint brush to transfer pollen from the male to the female flowers. Each plant has both sexes. The males bloom a week or two before the females, which are more bulbous. If size is your priority prune young fruit to two per plant. Rest the growing fruits on something flat and hard, and encircle with stones. Pumpkins need loads of watering.
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