Our fading summer leaves introduce us to colors of orange, brown and yellow, but demanding our attention are the bright orange pumpkins that peek out from the green vines that nourished and protected them all summer.

Squash and pumpkins are closely related, and among the squash family are butternut squash and winter squash — both equally delicious. The two basic types of cultivars of pumpkins are the kind we carve for jack-o-lanterns and those we make into pies. Both pumpkins and squash were one of the food staples for early Native Americans. They cooked the flesh and roasted the seeds that were not used for the following spring planting.

Of the Cucurbita genus, this vegetable requires full sun and fertile well-drained soil, with a soil pH level between 5.8 and 6.8, on a small hill, with two to three seeds per hill, each hill approximately 5 feet apart, depending on how large a pumpkin you have chosen. According to Cornell University, consistent moisture is necessary until emerging plants have established roots and vines begin to grow.

Seeds should be planted in warm soil after the final frost with temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees or higher with germination beginning in five to 10 days. Black plastic mulch can be used for moisture control. Punching a hole in the plastic and planting seeds will control both weeds and diseases. According to the University of Maryland Extension, if planting early, use 3-inch diameter pots, 3 weeks before sowing outdoors, thinning to two plants by snipping off the weaker ones so as to not disturb the remaining plant roots.

Nitrogen should be added to the soil until the vines begin to flower, encouraging healthy vine roots. Avoid overhead irrigation to keep leaves and vines dry by using drip irrigation or a soaker hose. This will protect plants by keeping the vines and leaves dry thus avoiding diseases. With plenty of space and a long growing season, pumpkins are an easy vegetable to cultivate. Most varieties grow on vines 8 feet long and 1.5 to 3 feet in height. Trailing along the ground, the blooms are yellow with pumpkins growing quickly from mid-to-late summer.

As with the squash family, pumpkins produce male flowers one to two weeks before female flowers. Visiting bees carry the pollen from the male flower to the female flower, providing the pollination for fruiting, which is why there are many vines and flowers in pumpkin patches.

Clemson University lists some carving pumpkins, such as Autumn Gold, Ghost Rider, Merlin, Magic Lantern and Jack-O-Lantern. The preferred pie types are Amish Pie and Small Sugar. Giant pumpkins like Big Max and Blue Moon can be challenging to grow, but they draw attention at our county fair, with some weighing 2,000 pounds. Usually, these giant pumpkins are not good for eating, as they contain excessive water.

Whether growing pumpkins for show, fun, food or carving, the results can be the envy of your neighborhood. Perhaps the Great Pumpkin will visit your pumpkin patch on Halloween night!

Kane Shipka is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.