Greetings to all on the list- please make an ignorant Texan feel welcome

Hello:
 
I have never heard of a seed list or auction.  In fact, I don't know if pumpkins even grow well in Dallas, Texas.  Everyone here tells me I'm crazy to turn my 1.5 acres into a pumpkin patch, but that's what I intend on doing.
 
I know you all probably see a bunch of dumb questions from beginners, but I need help.  There is an elementary school next door, and I want to get the kids involved in this pumpkin patch.  I also want them to learn the right way to grow pumpkins and not the way I think they should be grown.  Here are some of my general questions. If you don't have time to read this or are annoyed by beginners, please delete this message now- otherwise, prepare yourself....
 
1)  What is the best Jack o' lantern pumpkin variety?
2)  What is the best variety for my region (North Texas)?
3)  How much room do you need to grow pumpkins?
4)  How many pumpkins can you grow per square yard?
5)  When is the best time to plant pumpkins?
6)  What preparations should I make now, while preparing the patch?
7)  What type of physical protection do pumpkins require?
8)  How much water do pumpkins require?
9)  How far apart should you plant pumpkins
10)  Should pumpkins be planted in mounded rows or in flat ground?
11)  Are there any fun ways to keep kids interested in the patch?
12)  How much should we charge for each pumpkin when time to sell?
13)  Can un-sold pumpkins be used by food shelters or should they be dumped/composted?
 
Any help is sincerely appreciated!  If this e-mail is inappropriate for this list, please e-mail me privately and do not make my mistake a "public flogging".  I will promise to sell every seed that I place on any list that I post! :)- Seriously though, I would love to hear comments from the experts here.
 
Best regards to all,
 
Pete Foster
Flower Mound, Texas
 
***you can always tell a Texan........you just can't tell him much!
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