Carrie writes:
“We have been experimenting the last few years with Seminoles and find that starting them at the base of a tree, rather then in the open, made the most vigorous, productive vines. They love big, honkin’ piles mulch, too. When the temps reach over 100 degrees, our Seminoles seemed to grow in rebellion to the heat! We grow them quite large, 12″ to 18″ across.”
I have also noticed that Seminole pumpkins that grow from the previous year’s compost pile do much better than those planted on purpose. With their weedy, rampant growth pattern, I wonder if the variety was lackadaisically cultivated by the Indians, growing around the edges of settlements where wastes were discarded. My friend Mark told me he had to cut back his vines because they were aggressively taking over his back yard.
This year I have some of Mark’s Seminole pumpkin seeds, as well as seeds from a few other friends. It’s going to be wonderful growing them again. It’s probably time to get started on ground prep.
This temperate climate thing is crazy… I am really not used to having to spend so much time planning out my planting times! The tropics spoiled me. We could literally go out and plant any time we wanted. Now I have to plan again.
On Friday we planted two 60′ rows of potatoes. We were going to do more yesterday but it was in the 40s and drizzling rain all day, so our farming plans got put off. Today we would be going to church, except that our van is in the shop so we’re stuck at home. The Lord must have His reasons. Our vehicle died in the driveway last Sunday morning as we were ready to go to church, so this is our second Sunday at home. I hope we will be able to go back this coming Sunday.
As for farming, looks like we’ll attack that tomorrow. A lot needs to get done – and fast!
How lovely is Your tabernacle,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You. Selah
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with [d]pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
-Psalm 84, NKJV
6 comments
Gonna have to try to find some seeds this year.
Send me your address.
Hi, David. I came here to specifically ask if you still had Seminole pumpkin seeds to sell. I had beautiful vines (the leaves were mottled — gorgeous even without fruit — growing from your seeds a few years ago, but the hurricane wiped them out. I really only need a few seeds. (I tried another source this year, but only one sprouted and then it died.)
Plus, although the vines from your seeds flowered well, the blossoms all fell off or produced only little pumpkins which then shriveled up and died. :-( … so I wanted your advice on what the problem most likely was. Lack of calcium or some other mineral? The soil had been enriched over the course of several prior years, with virtually nothing else growing except some weeds that I took care of organically.
I have all or almost all of your books, I believe, and I recommended you to a local gal from whom I bought a few started plants last spring. I’m getting a lot our of your Survival Gardening book at this time.
I live on the central east Florida coast, about 15 miles NW of Stuart. I’ve yet to be able to grow yellow squash or cucumbers without sooty mold killing them off. My yard seems to be in a low area, because I get mold/mildew growing on my house, my metal fence, even inside the cover to my gas tank access! I grew up in Miami, have lived all other the state, and have *never* had these gardening issues. My best results came in shortened seasons when I lived in KC and SE Massachusetts … I don’t know how Florida growers survive.
I will happily pay for the seeds if you will let me know the price. Many, many thanks.
The female blooms falling off is almost always a pollination issue. If there aren’t a lot of bees around, it’s easy to hand-pollinate pumpkins.
I had 3 plants I put in under an oak, surrounded by mulch. I had a very prolific crop and canned most of it. Love psalm 84.
That is excellent. I will have to try it.