Pumpkin planting next spring, can you tell me about mounding?

I never really put mine in mounds, just made sure dirt was covering the seeds. The mound is recommended because of the amount of water that you will eventually have to use. If you don't mound them, just add dirt around the base every few days or so. The biggest problem is once the pumpkins are growing, you have to put them on something other than the ground or else they rot. Depending on the size and how much effort you are willing to put forth, you can put them on large plastic lids, or tie up slings to hold them off the ground. Be careful not to twist the stem, but every few days, rotate the pumpkins and eventually you'll get a nicely rounded shape. Pumpkins like water so as much water as you can provide, the better. Also, careful pruning will rid you of weaker, smaller fruit and you can train ones that you think will be productive. Be sure to get some garden gloves too, because these things have nasty little thorns that really hurt!!!!