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

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04 Jan 23, Gabriella (Australia - temperate climate)
Female flowers have a tiny pumpkin at the base of the flower, males just have stem.
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24 Dec 22, John (Australia - tropical climate)
Why do my pumpkins get to the size of a fifty cent peace and go yellow and drop off
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04 Jan 23, Gabriella (Australia - temperate climate)
They haven't been pollinated. Try transferring pollen from male flower to female flower.
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27 Jan 23, Adam (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best method to pollinate? Using a cutip?
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26 Oct 22, JW Connelly (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can you let myself know how well pumpkins grow in South Canterbury, NZ? Is it possible to grow pumpkins all around N.Z.? JW Connelly
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27 Oct 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Select your climate zone, then go to the vegetable you want and then look up the planting guide. NZ cool climate plant Oct to Dec.
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04 Sep 22, Jen (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Hi is sept with warm temps too late to plant pumpkins?
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13 Sep 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
It is about 4 months too late by the guide here. It is not the temps now but what they will be in 4-5months time when the pumpkin are suppose to mature.
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25 Aug 22, Samantha Turner (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there, I am in Sthn Gold Coast. Am I able to plant a butternut pumpkin in a very large pot (for root growth) and then let the vine trail over into the garden. My soil isn't very good, by using a pot I can buy good quality soil / potting mix. Would this work? Thank you, Sam.
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29 Aug 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes it would work - need to water regularly and also fertiliser now and again. Amazing what a little compost and fertiliser can do to poor soil.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 825 comments
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Hi Toni you can stop watering your Pumpkins now. After you have a frost the leaves will die off. After the leaves die off you can harvest them any time now. Leave the stem on and store in a place with good air supply and sun to ripen. You can check the ripeness by knocking on them with your knuckles listen for a hollow sound which indicates ripe. Enjoy Jim

- Jim

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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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