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 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 - 120 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

30 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - arid climate)
Try and keep the bottom of them dry with straw etc.in wet weather. Growing time is 16-20 weeks. The stem will become dry and hard and the yellow part will become dull. When you do start to pick just pick one and try. But think around 18 weeks +.
02 May 22, David James (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have had several pumpkin plants pop up from seeds. I don’t know where the seeds came from as I’ve never grown pumpkins in the past. Never the less the plants grew vigorously with lots of leaves and flowers. I noticed plenty of bees around so assumed pollination would occur, however no pumpkins ever appear. I guess an experienced gardener would know what’s happening. I’m a beginner so I would welcome some information. Thanks.
08 May 22, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
If your vine is not producing pumpkins there may be a problem with pollination. Go to You Tube and search "how to hand pollinate pumpkins". They will give you a better description of the process than I can. Apparently its pretty easy. Cheers Pete
06 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You would have had to noticed if the bees went onto the pumpkin flowers or not. I recently had bees working on some flowers and not the zucchinis 2m away.
28 Apr 22, Anne Elizabeth Mence (New Zealand - temperate climate)
when is the right time to plant pumpkin and cucumber seedlings. Not long had my vege garden and keen to get started.
02 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to the top of the page and it will tell you when you can plant for your climate zone.
12 Apr 22, Megan (Australia - temperate climate)
Every year I plant pumpkin seeds with no success. But late in the season self planted seeds grow and I’m lucky to get one pumpkin before the frosts come. What am I doing wrong..
13 Apr 22, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
The biggest mistake with pumpkin, beans, peas, corn etc is they are over watered and rot in the soil at planting time. Too much water and high temps cause them to rot. Temperate zone planting is Sept - Dec. To plant in Sept to mid Oct probably requires to have them in a warm place or indoors to germinate. Try and use a light soil/potting mix/seed raising soil. Or even a combo of these with some perlite. You want the soil to drain freely. Prepare your pots or garden soil and give a good watering, then plant the seeds, don't water again until day 4-5 and only lightly. Or another way is to place some paper towel on a plate, put your seeds on the paper, cover with another piece of paper towel. Give this a good watering and drain off the excess water. Re wet it morning and night draining off the excess water. When the seeds have sent out a tap root plant them into your moist soil.
19 Mar 22, Elizabeth Koch (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My pumpkins 2 Queensland blue have grown to about 6inches across, but now are starting to die. Lost a lot of smaller ones, about 2 to 3 inches big. Doing all the right things I think. The butternut have no problems.
02 Apr 22, marco (Australia - tropical climate)
pumpkin trick is to deep plant the pumpkin from the start .dig a 1 foot plant in that, do not fill hole full of ground . let plant grow . when the plant is well above hole fill hole with soil .find the path u want the plant to grow and dont move . as the plant grows take out the runner branches .let grow for 3 to 4 meters then let 2 or 3 runners grow .when you have about 3 pumpkins nib any new runners ,keep pumpkin off soil use timber or tile .also as the plant grows the plant wants to grow up ,just put trowel on the growth ,this keeps it low to ground .why u grow 3 meters is because the leaves collect sun make plant strong for pumpkin to grow .also growing low to ground roots can appear at each branch that helps plant .i look at my plant at least once a week in growing time because u need to control its growth .i grew 3 big pumpkins for the first time and its worth all the attention .if u let it go wild the flowers just fall off or a pumpkin dies after a week or so and u end up with nothing
Showing 31 - 40 of 823 comments

If you don't have active bees when they flower then you can hand pollinate. A female flower is only open for a few hours one day, if not pollinated then no pumpkin grows. Google how to do it.

- Anonymous

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