Interesting Pumpkin Question on Fertilizer

[Northernfox]

So I am decided this year being my second full gardening season I would experiment. One of the things I wanted to experiment with pumpkins. I by accidently grew one last year and had a blast! so I put in a few this year.

the question I have is do I need to fertilize them? I have the one right is sitting on the winter compost with layer of garden soil/grass/potting soil.

the one on the left is sitting on about 9 inches of soil with last summers compost buried under it.

just a note the one on the right is a New Moon white pumpkin and the left is a Gladiator Pumpkin just regular orange

[img]https://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii603/Northernfox14/bf382708.jpg[/img]

Thought I would show one of the pumpkins I grew last year. it is the small guy

[img]https://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii603/Northernfox14/202cc104.jpg[/img]

[jal_ut]

Be advised that pumpkin roots go out in all directions and may get over 12 feet long. I would fertilize, but not just the little box they are planted in, but the surrounding area too. Also water that area if needed.

[ReptileAddiction]

I have successfully grown pumpkins in 24 inch pots

[Northernfox]

What type of fertilizer should I use? I did not know their roots got so big!!!

Thank you very much!!