Autumn is fast approaching, and what symbolizes fall better than pumpkins? If you want pumpkins for Halloween decor, have squash recipes you want to try, or you’ve simply been working on a patch and aren’t seeing any results, you probably need some quality plant food. Read on to learn about the best fertilizer for pumpkins to grow the most impressive pumpkin patch in the neighborhood!
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This Miracle-Gro fertilizer has a 24-8-16 NPK value designed to help all kinds of plants. With pumpkins, this nitrogen-heavy fertilizer will work best on young crops. Since this is quick-release, you’ll have to feed your pumpkin patch almost every week while you water them.
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Burpee’s organic fertilizer uses bone meal as its main nutrient source and has a 6-8-0 NPK value. Using this once the growing season kicks off helps the pumpkins grow strong roots and foliage. The nitrogen concentration also helps the vine grow large and make room for more blooms and fruits.
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This fertilizer has an evenly distributed 14-14-14 NPK content that makes it suitable for most perennials. It comes in small time-release pellets that break down over four months and is easy to feed to your plants. It promotes strong roots, healthy vines, and impressive fruits. It is ideal if you want a vibrant and bountiful pumpkin yield.
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This three-piece collection of FoxFarm plant food includes pint-sized bottles of the Big Bloom 0-0.5-0.7, Grow Big 6-4-4, and the Tiger Bloom 2-8-4 liquid fertilizers. These three are excellent fertilizers that provide you with the three fertilizer formulas you need for a specialized feeding program for your pumpkins.
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This Dr. Earth vegetable fertilizer has a 4-6-3 NPK value and can provide for your garden throughout its life. It’s an OMRI-certified and non-GMO organic plant food that’s been enhanced with soil microbes, probiotics, and other beneficial minerals. This formula not only helps your pumpkins grow big and strong but it's incredibly convenient for those who started their pumpkin seeds indoors.
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Jobe’s Organics offers you more control over your feed by providing you with pre-measured spiked 2-7-4 fertilizer. This fully organic fertilizer simultaneously fortifies the soil and foliage against pests and disease as your pumpkins mature. When it’s time to feed your squash, all you need to do is insert each spike in the ground around your plant.
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MasterBlend’s fertilizer formula is a 4-18-38 blend, meaning it’s heavy with potassium and phosphorus with minimal nitrogen. It’s a premium mix that helps late-bloomers survive once the cold creeps in for fall. It is better used towards the end of the growing season and helps create an abundance of large pumpkins in your patch.
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Down To Earth Langbeinite is a completely natural plant food that has a 0-0-22 NPK value, meaning it’s full of potassium. Other than having 22% potassium, this water-soluble mix is also rich in magnesium and sulfur. The potassium strengthens its roots, hardens its stems, and protects its fruits once the temperature lowers. This also helps your pumpkins avoid disease without damaging your soil’s natural pH.
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This is an 11-8-5 fertilizer that uses its high nitrogen content to stimulate green growth. Since pumpkins are heavy feeders, having this quick-release fertilizer helps immediately supply your patch with their needs without the risk of burning them. Additionally, this concentrated formula can total 32 gallons worth of liquid feed after dilution in each feeding.
In Summary
If you’re lost on what to feed your pumpkins, we’ve got some recommendations.
For those wanting a large yield, focus on a nitrogen-heavy formula like the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food. If you want an all-rounder, the amazing Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food could be the one. Or, if you’re prepping for fruits, the Down to Earth Organic Langbeinite Fertilizer Mix is an unbeatable end-of-season choice!
My go-to fertilizer is the FoxFarm Liquid Nutrient Trio since it has everything my pumpkins need while giving me the chance to target specific concerns.
Regardless of your choice, remember to use them with the right quantities and schedule. Even the most gentle fertilizers can harm your pumpkins if you use them too much!
