How to Get Pumpkins in Animal Crossing: A Complete Guide – Pumpkins are one of the most versatile crops in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. They’re not only essential for crafting spooky furniture during Halloween but can also be a decorative staple for your island all year round. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, understanding how to grow and use pumpkins effectively is key to maximizing your island’s charm.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting pumpkins in Animal Crossing, including where to find them, how to grow them, and creative ways to use them on your island.
Why Pumpkins Are Important in Animal Crossing
Pumpkins serve multiple purposes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
1. Crafting Seasonal Items:
Pumpkins are a primary ingredient for crafting Spooky-themed furniture and decorations, especially during the Halloween season.
2. Decorating Your Island:
Use pumpkins as festive décor or add them to your garden for a touch of autumn charm.
3. Selling for Bells:
Pumpkins can be sold for a decent profit, making them a great option for players looking to earn extra Bells.
How to Get Pumpkins in Animal Crossing
1. Purchase Pumpkin Starts
The first step to growing pumpkins is obtaining Pumpkin Starts, which are seeds you can plant in your garden. Here’s how to get them:
Nook’s Cranny:
- During October, you can buy Pumpkin Starts from Nook’s Cranny for 280 Bells each.
- If you’ve unlocked the upgraded shop, they are often discounted to 140 Bells.
Leif’s Garden Shop:
- If Leif visits your island, you can purchase Pumpkin Starts from him for 140 Bells year-round.
- Look for Leif wandering near Resident Services.
- Tip: Buying Pumpkin Starts from Leif is more affordable than Nook’s Cranny, so plan your shopping accordingly.
2. Planting Pumpkins
Once you have your Pumpkin Starts, follow these steps to plant them:
Find a Suitable Location:
- Choose an open, sunny spot on your island to plant the seeds.
- Consider creating a dedicated pumpkin patch for a neat and organized look.
Prepare the Soil:
- Use a shovel to dig holes for planting.
- Each Pumpkin Start requires one hole.
Plant the Pumpkin Starts:
- Open your inventory, select the Pumpkin Start, and choose Plant Here.
- Repeat until all seeds are planted.
3. Watering Pumpkins
Watering is crucial for growing pumpkins. The amount of water you give them determines how many pumpkins you’ll harvest.
No Watering:
The plant will still grow but will yield only one pumpkin.
Regular Watering:
Water the plants daily to maximize your harvest. Fully watered plants can produce up to three pumpkins per start.
Tip: Use a watering can to hydrate your plants. Consider upgrading to a Golden Watering Can to cover larger areas at once.
4. Harvesting Pumpkins
Pumpkins take four days to grow from seeds to harvestable crops. Here’s what to do when they’re ready:
- Approach the plant and press the A button to pick the pumpkins.
- Each plant can yield 1–3 pumpkins, depending on how well it was watered.
- Harvested plants will continue to produce pumpkins every two days, so there’s no need to replant unless you want to expand your patch.
Types of Pumpkins in Animal Crossing
There are four pumpkin colors, each with different uses in crafting and decorating:
- Orange Pumpkins: The most common type. Essential for crafting Spooky-themed items.
- White Pumpkins: Great for winter decorations and crafting specific items.
- Yellow Pumpkins: Often used for creating bright, cheerful designs.
- Green Pumpkins: Perfect for creating natural, earthy tones in your designs.
Tip: The color of pumpkins you harvest is random, but you can increase the variety by planting more Pumpkin Starts.
How to Use Pumpkins
Pumpkins aren’t just for decoration. Here are some creative ways to use them in Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
1. Crafting Spooky Furniture
During the Halloween season, you’ll unlock Spooky DIY Recipes, which require pumpkins as materials. Popular items include:
- Spooky Arch
- Spooky Scarecrow
- Spooky Table
Collect recipes by talking to villagers or popping balloons in October.
2. Decorating Your Island
Pumpkins can be placed directly on the ground as a decorative element. Use them to create seasonal displays, garden borders, or themed areas.
Idea: Combine orange pumpkins with hay bales, barrels, and lanterns for a cozy autumn vibe.
3. Selling for Bells
If you have a surplus of pumpkins, sell them for Bells:
- Orange Pumpkins: 350 Bells each
- White, Yellow, and Green Pumpkins: 350 Bells each
Tip: To maximize profits, water your plants daily to ensure a larger harvest.
4. Gifting to Villagers
Villagers love receiving pumpkins as gifts. Giving them pumpkins can improve your friendship levels and increase the chances of receiving special rewards.
Advanced Pumpkin Farming Tips
To take your pumpkin-growing skills to the next level, consider these tips:
- Optimize Your Layout: Arrange Pumpkin Starts in rows or grids to make watering and harvesting more efficient.
- Use Fertilizer (If Modded): While fertilizers aren’t officially available in the base game, modded versions can enhance growth rates.
- Rotate Crops: After several harvests, replace older Pumpkin Starts with fresh ones to maintain a high yield.
Seasonal Events and Pumpkins
Halloween (October 31st):
Pumpkins play a central role in the Halloween event.
Talk to Jack, the Czar of Halloween, to receive exclusive items and recipes.
Autumn Season:
Pumpkins remain relevant throughout autumn and can be used to craft other seasonal items.
Common Pumpkin FAQs
- Can I Grow Pumpkins Year-Round?
Yes, pumpkins can be planted and harvested at any time of the year, but they are most commonly associated with the autumn season. - How Do I Get More Colors?
The colors of pumpkins are determined when they grow. Plant more starts and harvest regularly to increase your chances of getting all four colors. - Can Pumpkins Rot or Die?
No, pumpkins in Animal Crossing do not rot or die, so you don’t need to worry about losing them if left unharvested.
Conclusion
Getting pumpkins in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a rewarding and enjoyable activity that adds depth to your gameplay. Whether you’re growing them for Halloween festivities, crafting unique decorations, or earning extra Bells, pumpkins are a must-have crop for every island.
By following this guide, you’ll have everything you need to grow, harvest, and use pumpkins like a pro. Get ready to transform your island into a festive paradise with these versatile crops!
