Heirloom / Open Pollinated Pumpkins are a warm season crop, sensitive to frost and light freezes. Start heirloom pumpkins indoors 3-4 wks. before the last frost date in cooler climates or direct seed outdoors after danger of frost. Plant or transplant pumpkins to full sun. To direct seed, plant 4-5 pumpkins seeds 1″ deep, 6-8″ apart in a circle at the center of 3′ diameter hills, with a trench around each hill to aid water in reaching the root system. Thin to best 2-3 plants in each hill at the set of true leaves. Or plant pumpkin seeds in rows 1″ deep, 2-3′ apart. Space rows and hills 6-10′ apart. Germination should occur in 5-10 days in soil 65-85°F. Keep soil just damp during germination, or seeds may rot. Harvest heirloom pumpkins when the rind has hardened and finger nail requires pressure to pierce rind. Leave 3-4″ stem on when cutting from the plant for longer storage.