Heck, even big pumpkins might be fun for a two year old!! I have an 8 year old and I am thinking of planting them as well... but I need experience answers too... I'm new to all this!!

Will be curious to see your replies,
Good luck!
Ellen in Portland

I haven't had to fight off deer, so I'm not really sure but I have the impression deer won't eat most plants of the cucurbit family...they have a pretty good defense mechanism in their bristley surfaces. Has anyone had experience to the contrary?

My deer have sophisticated pallets it seems. They eat anything. And I mean even things that are supposed to be deer resistant. They muched down my lavenders, dahlias and two hydrangeas to the ground last year. I live in a pretty wooded rural neighborhood right up against Capitol forest so it is not like they are stuck in some urban area starving to death or anything. I will definately let you all know if they do munch on the cucurbits.

I live in a rural area. I grow pumpkins (large and small) and never had a problem with deer munching on them. As the pumpkins ripen they may be snacked on by small rodents. Have your sons pee all around the area where you have your plants. They have to keep it smelly with their scent so they will have to do this again and again after heavy rains. My three sons did this for years and it certainly did help. Dogs and cats help keep things away from your garden but then the cats figure out a way to mess in your veggie garden which is not good, especially if your are pregnant. Grow small pumpkins on a trellis and encircle the trellis with chicken wire. Some of you may have to build a fortress but then again you can make a ring of pee and call it good. Some deer are so domesticated by folks feeding them that they have no fear around housing developments.Also, human hair laid around a plant can do the job.You can also hang the small pumpkins in old nylons that you nail to the trellis. Deer wont eat through them. I have tried many methods with my sons helping me but using the pee method works the best.Good luck with your plantings.... Salmonlady4

I have grown them ever since someone brought some to a potluck and learned that they were very delicious. There are many easy ways to fix them.
Last year we planted them in a school garden. Some grew up the fence, but most just remained on the ground. Jack Be Little is very productive and does not take up much space. There were about 5 plants in an 18" by 8 foot bed along a fence. They produced at least 40 little pumpkins.
The kids started them in pots in early May and then put them out in mid to late May.
I have never had any trouble with deer eating squash, but I am hungry just thinking about those little pumpkins stuffed with apples, brown sugar and nuts.

We tried Jacks last summer in our school garden. Didn't have success.

I planted one nice, healthy seedling (started in our greenhouse) in a big pot. But outside it didn't thrive. Maybe the plants prefer direct sowing? We did plant seeds in 4 more pots but left too many plants there; I probably should have thinned to one or two.

We have to grow them in pots. That should work, shouldn't it as long as the pot's large enough. How big a pot is needed per plant?