Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Feb	Mar	May
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

05 May 20, Clive (Australia - temperate climate): Depends how progressed they are. Vine die back only happens at the end of the vine life. I pick many Japs well before the vine dies, with other later pollinated pumpkins still growing. Excess moisture does not only create rot, but also splitting. If the pumpkins are getting yellow, ghosting, coloring around the stem base they could also split from over watering, so pick them. If they are still young leave them. I picked several Japs this morning, one was 7.2kg and it was only 31 days from pollination. (Central QLD)
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02 May 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Gramma pumpkin. When is the best time to pick? When fully orange and dusty. Is it ripe when green and dusty looking?
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05 May 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate): About 20 weeks or so after planting. The vine will be dying back, the stem from the pumpkin to the vine will be hard and dry. When you think it is ready try one, if a pale colour then you picked too early.
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29 Apr 20, Nicole (Australia - temperate climate): I live in NW NSW, possible frosty weather is coming this weekend. Can I cover the pumpkins with something to protect them till they are ready for harvest? Thanks
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30 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate): You can only give it a try. Take it off during the day though.
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19 Apr 20, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate): Hi I’ve got butternut pumpkins seedlings will they grow this time of year live in Inglewood region qld
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19 Apr 20, Liz at Gardenate (New Zealand - temperate climate): Pumpkins will be killed by frost.
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18 Apr 20, Sandi (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Butternut Pumpkin seedlings have popped up in my worm farm. Removed and put some in pots. They are growing. Is it worth planting at this time of the year in Brisbane?
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20 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate): Read the planting guide.
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15 Apr 20, Suzie (Australia - temperate climate): Okay, just that it was a very sweet butternut pumpkin so I have dried out the seeds and will plant in September. Thanks for the advice everyone, it is always great to get something for next to nothing. Happy gardening!
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Hi Cat, Yes you can transplant your pumpkin plant! There will be no way to tell what kind of pumpkin you have until your fruit are growing and it may actually end up being a hybrid mixed variety. It should still be good to eat though! Pumpkins produce both male and female flowers. If you do not have many bees or wish to be guaranteed pumpkins it doesn't hurt to hand pollinate particularly if you only have the one plant. Plenty of info online about how to do that but it is easy with pumpkins. Just google

- Katie

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Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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