Question
I live in Rwanda; however, during a recent holiday, I purchased tomato, carrot, pumpkin, broccoli, green pepper and watermelon seeds from Amsterdam, Holland.  We planted the seeds in during the rainy season and the plants started growing very nicely.  Now that it is the hot / dry season (we water the garden early morning and in the evening), the pumpkin and broccoli leaves are starting to become dry and brown.  We removed the brown leaves.  My question is, will the carrots and pumpkin grow underground like potatoes or will they grow above ground and I should be able to see them now?  I am concerned because it has been three months and I can抰 see the pumpkin and carrots, only their leaves.  Also, how long does it normally take for the above veggies to become ripe?  Thank you.  

Answer
Dear Alyson,
Carrots grow underground, like radishes and potatoes.  Pumpkins grow above the ground on very large and large leafed vines.  I don't raise pumpkins as a rule, but it seems the little green pumpkins stay under the leaves for quite some time, before they become visible.  The pumpkins take quite awhile to mature, a spring planting produces an autumn harvest.  Tomatoes and green peppers begin producing in about 4 months and produce all season.  They, of course, are quite visible on the plant.  Watermelons take almost as long as pumpkins.  Broccoli should be visibly forming on the plant now and is easy to see when it's ready.  The carrots, if they are growing properly, should be close to ready.  
I wish you success in your garden.
Kind Regards,
Kindred
www.eingedi.us