Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 - 47 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
07 Jun 22, Meghan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
marco. you dig a hole and plant pumpkin seeds? don't you plant in a mound? can you plant seeds now?
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23 Feb 22, JUDITH MCPHERSON (Australia - temperate climate)
Why would I not be getting female flowers on my butternut vines?
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25 Feb 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Female flowers follow the male ones and it sometimes takes a few days for them to start.
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13 Dec 21, Glen barlow (Australia - temperate climate)
What should you put under the pumpkin to stop it rotting on the bare ground
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31 Dec 21, FaithCeleste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
I generally just place an old piece of wood (1" thick x 4" wide any length I have), or maybe an old small crate to lift it off the ground: it's really the soil getting onto the pumpkin that causes the decay.
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12 Feb 22, Sarah Akins (Australia - temperate climate)
I’ve been putting old seedling pots under them. Good way to reuse the plastic.
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14 Dec 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some thing that allows water to drain away quickly,
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30 Nov 21, Robert (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there just wont to know wot is the latest you can plant pumpkins in south Australia
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07 Dec 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Work out your climate zone and then set it then go to Pumpkins
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18 Aug 21, Steven Mcgonigal (Australia - temperate climate)
What season can you grow pumpkins parks New South Wales
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Showing 41 - 50 of 823 comments
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Most veggies are grown as an annual. To have one 12mths old is a bit unusual. The vine would be very long now before the flowers appear, maybe the plant can't sustain that. Pumpkin zucchini and probably watermelons and rock melons etc When they flower they start with male flowers to start attracting the bees, then produce female flowers. The female flower is only open for one day generally and will be shut by lunch time. So it needs a few visits from bees in that 2-4 hrs to fertilise the female flower. Or needs hand pollination on that day. I live at Bundy and I grew pumpkin through last summer and it was 3-4 degrees hotter last summer than this year so far. I think you just have an old plant that has had it's day. After you pick this years crop think about planting next year in the spring, your vines will be well establish going into summer. It will also allow you to refresh the soil with compost, manures fertiliser etc.

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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