I think the site sounds promising. Pumpkins rolling down the hill
would be my only worry, I think. If you did manage to grow a pumpkin
so large and round that it might actually break the vine a roll, you
could always pound a wooden stake on the down hill side so it can't.
I think you could remove sod in fairly small areas if you mulch a
larger area. Maybe as small as a 3 or 4 foot circle. Enrich and
loosen the soil in the small area. I know from experience that if
you dig out the hole, place a foot or more layer of horse manure in
the bottom, and put the soil back in the hole, you will get nice big
pumpkin plants. Maybe a good layer of newspapers to cover the sod in
a larger area with hay or straw over that.
I live in town so deer are not usually a problem. They have been
finding my yard in the last few years. I would think pumpkin leaves
would be too rough and picky for deer to eat. Guess what, the only
thing they have eaten in my entire yard are some leaves of cucumber,
squash, and pumpkin. Go figure.

Steve


contrapositive wrote:
I'm in Pittsburgh (Zone 5) and would like to put some pumpkins in my
backyard. There's a grassy area that slopes up toward the northwest, and
from about 10AM until sunset, it gets good sun. The flat areas nearby are
prone to standing water, but this area is sheltered and the soil drains
fairly well.

So, are there any problems putting pumpkins here? How steep is too steep?
(obviously not so steep that the pumpkins go rolling down the hill at some
point.)

How much sod do I have to remove? I plan on starting my seeds in containers.

One other potential problem: deer. Do deer typically go after pumpkins?
(I've heard it's not their first choice.) What's a good repellent?

Thanks in advance.

-jk