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22 The seed is planted warm moist soil. After about 10 days, a root will begin to grow from the seed.

23 The seedling pops through the soil. The first two leaves are the cotyledons. These will fall off when the true plant leaves grow.

24 More leaves grow quickly and soon the plant becomes a vine. The vine twists and creeps along the ground. Vines can grow up to 6 feet per day, so they need lots of room to spread out.

25 About 2 to 3 months after planting the seeds, the vine blooms. The flowers attract bees which move pollen from one flower to another. After pollination, the base of the pistil begins to grow into a pumpkin.

26 The flower petals will fall off. As the new fruit grows, seeds and pulp develop inside of it.

27 The green pumpkin grows larger and changes to bright orange as the seeds and pulp form inside of it.

28 Harvest When the vines start turning brown, the pumpkin should be harvested (cut from the vine). Pumpkins that are not harvested will decompose. Decomposition After the plant dies, the pumpkin will break down and rot into the soil. The decomposing pumpkin helps adds nutrients to the soil