Pumpkin cultivation

Pumpkin cultivation is a form of gardening that is based on growing pumpkins or other similar squash varieties. And while pumpkins are now grown mostly for autumn and winter decorations in north America, rather than for its food value, pumpkin farming is still a major business in North America and around the World. It is believed that people have been cultivating pumpkins since 7000 B.C.

History

First pumpkins

The first pumpkins are believed to have been grown before 5000 B.C. At an archaeological site in Mexico, recovered pumpkin seeds dated from 7000 to 5500 B.C. Summer Squash originated in Mexico and Central America and winter squash originated in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Pumpkins are found in both species. Prior to Columbus' discovery of North America, pumpkins were distributed along the Atlantic seaboard and throughout the Midwest. The common field pumpkin was known to the early settlers of New England. Today, the Connecticut Field variety is the typical jack-o-lantern.

Domestication

The domestication of pumpkins began with the native populations of the Americas; however, the pumpkin was known for its seeds rather than its flesh or skin.Research into the history of the use of pumpkins reveals that Pumpkin cultivation began in South America and eventually made its way to native populations in North America. With the arrival of Europeans to the North America pumpkins farming was quickly picked up by these newcomers. Through the early settlers, pumpkins seeds were eventually sent to Europe.

References

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3838/is_1991_August/ai_11903798/pg_2

External links

* [http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/pumpkin1.html Pumpkin Information]