Using Pumpkin Tendrils to Help It Grow Up a Tomato Cage

Posted on Jul 26 2011 - 2:34am by Mike Lieberman

I am growing a miniature pumpkin variety from seed for the first time. It’s Jack Be Little Seed that I got from a sponsor of mine Botanical Interests.

No, I’m growing some huge Charlie Brown type pumpkin on my balcony garden. That would be dope though. These get to be about 2-3″.

It’s been about two-months or so since I first planted it (or maybe a month) and the plant is doing amazing. It looks like it is going to start blossoming soon and the leaves are getting large.

I am using a tomato cage to train it vertically since I don’t have much space for it to sprawl.

To help the plant grow upwards, you want to take the tendrils, those are the small viney (if that’s even a word) type things, and guide them up the cage. The tendrils help to support the plant while it’s growing and will wrap around anything that will support them.

Have you ever thought of growing pumpkins in containers? What have you learned learned about growing pumpkins?

26 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. Dana July 26, 2011 at 1:50 pm -

    What a great idea!  When I first saw this post, I wondered how little tomato cages would support a big ole carving pumpkin, but the mini ones should work wonderfully!  Keep on keepin’ on, showing people what wonderful ag can be grown in a tiny space.

  2. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 2:11 pm -

    Hahaa yea growing the huge pumpkins would be fun 😉

  3. Georgianne Austin July 26, 2011 at 2:33 pm -

    We have cantaloupe growing upwards along the side of our patio (by their choice, not ours). Though we have issues with them falling from the vine just before proper picking time, they have actually been quite successful! We’ve harvested 6 melons since June, and its still going strong. Just be careful of something starting between two wires or rails- I had to take a chef’s knife to one of them this week that wedged itself into our railing. 

  4. Leeann Coleman July 26, 2011 at 2:55 pm -

    I planted smallish 8-10″ pumpkins for pie making in the containers on my deck that I used for peas. I’m trying to do more succession planting in the pots. They are growing with gusto – we’ll see how GIANT the vines get.

  5. Manure Tea Gardening July 26, 2011 at 3:02 pm -

    Great share Mike looking forward to seeing them as your Fall Holiday festive decoration and of course seeing what recipes you use them in Annie

  6. Anonymous July 26, 2011 at 3:35 pm -

    I have patty pans growing in a bucket. Pumpkins are definitely on next years list!

  7. Mary C. July 26, 2011 at 3:59 pm -

    I have heard much of growing them in containers, but not had the courage to try. I do know you can help them to climb up a support, and I have heard in many places that if the fruit is large it helps to make it a sling to support it.
    Maybe next year…

  8. Elizabeth Fisher July 26, 2011 at 4:08 pm -

    Used to grow pumpkins for carving,when the children were little.  Now I don’t give up the space anymore.  Now I buy a JackOLantern pumpkin if I want one, from a stand.  They are usually fund raisers for 4H.  Pie pumpkins I have a guy at Farmer’s Market.  I put in my order for how many I want and he brings them to me so I don’t have to carry.  And you don’t need too many pie pumpkins to get a decent # of pies for the year, so also don’t want to give up space for them either.

  9. Elizabeth Fisher July 26, 2011 at 4:10 pm -

    I have a friend that does that.  She only has about a 1 1/2 foot deep garden along a fence.  She makes the pumpkins and melons climb (it’s a 6 ft fence) and then makes slings for the fruit.  It’s so cute.

  10. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:23 pm -

    Obviously the slings are to sling shot the produce right?

  11. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:24 pm -

    Picky. Picky. Aren’t we 😉

    Gotta make the most of our small spaces!

  12. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:25 pm -

    Yes always next year…hopefully 😉

  13. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:25 pm -

    Nice!

  14. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:25 pm -

    I have lots of ideas for recipes!

  15. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:25 pm -

    Dope. These are starting to get pretty big too.

  16. Mike Lieberman July 26, 2011 at 6:26 pm -

    Who are you to argue with the cantaloupes?

  17. Elizabeth Fisher July 26, 2011 at 9:46 pm -

    Definitely picky.  Tomatoes are always priority.

  18. Veganishmom July 29, 2011 at 12:13 am -

    I am, also, using a tomato cage to train my pumpkin to grow vertical.  However, it out grew the cage so I moved it next to a small tree/bush and it is now growing up that.  Next year, I’m going to use my son’s old crib as a trellis for pumpkin, watermelon, and cucumber.  What a great way to recycle and old unsafe (drop side) crib 😀

  19. Mike Lieberman July 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm -

    Nice. Just make sure your son isn’t in the crib 😉

  20. Mike Lieberman July 29, 2011 at 3:03 pm -

    Nice. Just make sure your son isn’t in the crib 😉

  21. Veganishmom July 30, 2011 at 2:25 am -

    Wow, I’m glad you said something; I’m not sure that I would have thought to check, hehe.

  22. Megan August 7, 2011 at 5:05 am -

    how is your pumpkin comming along? how is the rest of your garden? I dont think we have seen an update on your whole garden lately!

  23. Megan August 7, 2011 at 5:05 am -

    how is your pumpkin comming along? how is the rest of your garden? I dont think we have seen an update on your whole garden lately!

  24. Mike Lieberman August 7, 2011 at 11:47 pm -

    Have an update coming up tomorrow. Thanks for asking!

  25. Cheri October 25, 2011 at 11:22 pm -

    This is a picture of the beginning of the large type of pumpkin. I’ve not had good times with the pumpkin plants much yet. However, here we go, pumpkin growing! Finally! I start off with the tomato cages and insert tall bamboo poles at angles all around the plant and tomato cage. After tying the over lapping poles to the tomato cage, I then wait for the pumpkin plant to grow and watch the tendrils grab onto the structure. I grow in 15 gallon containers, in Southern Nevada. It really can be done in small spaces!! Thanks for showing us “how to” Mike. 

  26. Mike Lieberman October 26, 2011 at 10:09 pm -

    Nice. Sounds like you got it down!

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