Where to plant my pumpkin?

[Growem]

So I have a pumpkin seedling that is getting a bit big and burly to be inside anymore. I've decided to plant it in the backyard in one of the borders. Now, the border is partly sunny, but the north end gets far more sun than the south end, due to a shadow from our garage. Should I plant the pumpkin closer to the garage, letting it then grow into the sun so the actual pumpkin fruit get the sun? Or should I start it right now in the sun, so that it gets off to a good start and let the pumpkin fruit deal with a bit of extra shade?

[maytreefrannie]

I'm no pumpkin expert - I grew them for a couple of years when my children were younger, so that we had a home-grown one at Halloween. This year I'm growing one for my grandchildren, I hope.

I read some years ago that pumpkins do well on a compost heap - certainly they take up a lot of room, with loads of foliage.

I think they can't go out until after any risk of frost is over. I moved mine from the kitchen to outside, I keep it on an old table and cover it and some other plants at night with a heavy plastic storage box (white plastic). It's been out about four days now and it seems to be doing fine.

[Matt.]

If this is your giant pumpkin remember it will have side vines and these are really important to getting a large fruit. There are two common designs - tree or flag. The tree method allows side vines on each side and the flag method means you trim one side. You could use the flag method if growing alongside a fence. I think the tree is better though as you allow the plant more freedom.

In terms of shade I'm not sure. The fruit doesn't need sun and commonly they can be shaded deliberatly. I'd say the most important thing is to plant the root in the best soil and give it the best chance from that.

[Growem]

No no, this isn't my giant pumpkin, this is just your garden variety (haha) pumpkin. And I know they can't take any frost, but I thought in the back garden it would be okay as I can keep a closer eye on it and it's been very nice here lately. Thanks for the tips!

[bluemoon]

I'd be tempted to give it a fair amount of sun if possible. Pumpkins have huge leaves for a reason and it's probably in order to maximize the amount of light available to the growing fruit.

[Lavenderblue]

It will take over the garden, well it will try to, no matter where you plant it. I grew them for the first time last year and they just grew and grew and grew. We just ate the last one a couple of weeks ago.