Your local Ag Extension would probably be the best place to get this sort of information.

My grandpa has been a pumpkin farmer all of my life (don't quite know when he started...I'm 36,). So been around pumpkins, planting, watering, weeding, picking, washing, selling..you name it...for many years.

You got your people who do it the way it says on the seed package...and you got your "old farmer" way who makes the most out of their land and still has a good crop. My grandpa was the latter.

I'm now growing pumpkins (not to sell, but for our use, and to give to friends and family, but have a decent sized family patch...ended up donating 20 or so to a church last year), and I do it the way my grandpa taught me. No hills, no rows... closer together than the package states (for their spacing, throw one more planting in between)...usually throw 2-3 seeds in per planting spot.

Well weeded, well watered...and no problem! I did, however, plant a few white pumpkins last year, and didn't get any out of them. But...I bought cheap, grocery store seeds. Just thought I'd give 'em a try. But...we had every size available.....was just bummed not to have any whites. I'll get me some GOOD white seeds this year!