Long before the discovery of corn, Native Americans depended on pumpkins to help them through the lengthy winters. Although the pumpkin is often grouped into the vegetable family it is technically a fruit. A fruit is defined as the part of the plant that contains the seeds. So do tomatoes and cucumbers and green peppers. Although we consider them to be vegetables, they really are fruits.
Pumpkins belong to the plant family called gourds.
Plants that are gourds grow from vines and have a hard protective shell such as squash, melons and even cucumbers. Pumpkins like warm weather and are usually seeded in late May, once the danger of frost has passed. Pumpkin seeds should be soaked in lukewarm water overnight before planting. A large hole 60 cm deep and 60cm across will be prepared for each seed or plant. Fill the hole with soil, peat moss and dried manure creating a mound.