Anyone grow pumpkins or sunflowers?

[Pembo]

We're first time gardeners and planted both pumpkins and sunflowers this May. The sunflower plants my husband lovingly calls the Jack-n-the-Beanstalk plants. On some the leaves are a foot across. The pumpkin vines are overtaking everything. We even have pumpkin vines attaching to the sunflower stalks.

We do have pumpkins growing, one is even "hanging" because it's vines are attached to the sunflower.l

Just wondering if I should be doing anything else for these plants? Right now I'm just protecting the 2 rose bushes planted in the middle of this jungle.

 

[Jolie C]

My son brought home an innocent looking "science project" from preschool and we planted it outside. Turns out it is a pumpkin plant and it's taking over the backyard. He's so excited.

 

[mtblujeans]

No, that's just what they do. I think most squash plants need alot of room. But pumpkins particularly spread out. We have trouble growing them were we live ~ it's nice you have them taking off like you do??

 

[Towncrier]

A few years back we planted some Jack-Be-Little pumpkins. The vines took over our front yard. I figured that they weren't doing any harm and, as a result, we had a pretty decent crop of tiny pumpkins by the time that autumn rolled around. We have since replaced our vegetable garden with dutch bulbs, but I do miss the joy (and frustration) of growing vegetables.

Keep your plants watered and they should do just fine. A little fertilzer wouldn't hurt.

 

[Cinders]

Have a little extra fun with one of your pumpkins......mold it into an unusual shape. Someone on here suggested a square pumpkin by putting a square frame around it and another used something ? to make a ºoº shaped pumpkin.

 

[binny]

I had Pumpkins last year they did take over the yard! it was so much fun though! They grow like crazy! cucumbers do the same thing.

 

[Dax]

I also experienced the same issue with my pumpkins and cucumbers. They basically grow and take over the garden.

My sunflowers though wont get big before they flower. They get to waist height then flower...

 

[browneyes]

I believe Boots raises pumpkins. You might could ask her something, Pembo.

 

[Broken8ball]

I grow sunflowers, but not on purpose.

They just seem to come up around here where ever there is bare earth. Nothing kills them short of pulling them out of the ground. The 100 degree days, the weeks without water, nothing.

Once they start blooming, however, they are nice to look at.