August Pumpkin Care: The Best Fertilizer Tips for Big Fall Pumpkins
My honey bees are out buzzing from bloom to bloom, doing the important work of pollinating the garden—and right now, they’re all over the pumpkin flowers. While they handle the pollination, I’m focused on helping those pumpkins grow big and strong by giving them the nutrients they need this month.
August is a critical time in the pumpkin-growing season. The plants are often full of flowers or even starting to form young pumpkins. Fertilizing now helps support healthy vines, strong fruit development, and a better harvest come fall.
What Pumpkins Need in August
At this stage, pumpkin plants are hungry for nutrients—especially potassium and phosphorus, which help with fruit growth. Nitrogen is still important, but too much of it now can lead to huge leaves and vines with fewer pumpkins. The key is balance.
Here’s How I Fertilize My Pumpkins This Month:
1. Switch to a fruit-boosting fertilizer
Look for something with a lower nitrogen number and higher phosphorus and potassium—like a 5-10-10 or 4-8-6 fertilizer. I prefer using an organic granular option and watering it in well.
2. Feed every 2–3 weeks
I apply fertilizer about every two to three weeks in August, depending on how the plants look and whether I’m seeing good fruit growth. If the vines seem weak or the pumpkins are slow to size up, I might give them a little boost sooner.
3. Water deeply after feeding
Pumpkins have big roots, so a good soak after fertilizing helps nutrients reach deep into the soil. It also helps prevent burning the plants.
4. Use compost or worm castings as a bonus
I like to scratch in a little compost or worm castings around the base of the plant. It gives a gentle nutrient boost and improves the soil over time.
Watch the Leaves and Fruit
Keep an eye on your plants after fertilizing. If the leaves are yellowing or the growth seems stunted, they might need more nutrients—or water. On the other hand, if you’re seeing tons of leaves and no pumpkins, back off the nitrogen.
Final Tip: Mulch Matters
A layer of mulch helps hold in moisture and keeps the roots happy, especially during August heat waves. It also helps keep weeds down so your pumpkins get all the fertilizer and water you give them.
By giving your pumpkins a little love in August, you’ll be setting them up for a successful harvest. And if your honey bees are anything like mine, they’ll keep doing their part to make sure every flower counts.
Happy growing!