Selfsufficientish.com

Our first year growing pumpkins for real (only ever had 'volunteer' ones growing from the compost/mulch!). We've read that it is best to only allow two or so pumpkins to grow per plant, removing the rest to allow the remaining to ripen well. It's tough though having to get rid of the lovely looking wee fruits so just wanted to check to see if we really have to prune off so many and if so, how many should we leave on to ripen? The variety is 'Baby Bear'. I've discovered though that one can still eat the green pumpkins so at least it's not a waste. Cheers!

I have to admit to not understanding why you should take any off - unless you're planning on entering a largest in show competition

Small squash (I've never grown pumpkins) keep really well, are big enough for a meal, or you can use one apiece, instead of having a big thing that goes off or needs freezing/storing.

I'm sure someone will disagree though

I never take any off either, although if I've got 'enough' I do often stop them out cos they take over the place! I assume that Baby Bear is a mini pumpkin so why not leave as many as possible to grow, as you can continue to ripen them on a sunny windowsill/greenhouse through the autumn.

Thanks folks, my thoughts too but just checking as 'the books' often recommend leaving only a few fruits - but I think we'll leave 'em on and see how they go!

Oh books always do that - they say the same for melons but if I only allowed a few pumpkins and melons on each plant there wouldn't be room to grow anything else in my veg patch!