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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19 Apr 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Spring summer.
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21 Feb 23, Debbie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I planted 3 pumpkins in October, all different varieties. One has not produced any female flowers and the other two have any just produced two little pumpkins this month (February) . They are healthy plants with an abundance of male flowers. My qustion is will they ripen before it gets too cold?
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22 Feb 23, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Pumpkins take about 5mths.
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12 Feb 23, Ty Buchanan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
To pollinate snap off a yellow protuberance from the male. Gently push the protuberance into the middle of the yellow female, right into the center, and leave it there. That's it!
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07 Feb 23, Lynette Baldwin (Australia - tropical climate)
Came home from holidays in January and there is a pumpkin growing in my garden it’s getting big will it grow in these months or not . I think my grandson planted it he’s only seven .
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13 Feb 23, (Australia - tropical climate)
Let it grow and see what happens - keep it well watered in the hot weather.
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29 Dec 22, Xander (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do l tell the difference between male and female flower
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29 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Have a look at the thing growing inside the flower. Does it look like a male thing or a female thing? I think this will answer your question.
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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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Showing 11 - 20 of 823 comments
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Just found this - commercial production. For efficient pollination and fruit set, there must be: both male and female flowers and bees to move pollen from male to female flowers. A number of factors can influence pollination, Cold and overcast days limit pollination activity of bees. Hot dry conditions desiccate pollen making it unviable. Rapid growth promotes earlier flowering. However, high temperatures, long days and high rates of nitrogen can result in: vigorous vegetative growth and few flowers and a higher proportion of male to female flowers. It is important to check the sex of the flowers. A ratio of 1 female to 7 male flowers is usually considered adequate. Flowers open early in the day and for one day only, and they close by mid afternoon. These periods are shorter under high temperatures. Flowers are most receptive to pollination in the morning when bee activity is usually the highest. Bees are necessary for pollination and must be active in the crop. Flowers require at least 12 bee visits for good pollination. If bees are not plentiful, introduce at least two hives per ha after female flowers appear and male flowers start producing pollen. Spread hives around the field outside the crop, preferably so that bees have to fly over the crop to get to another food source. Destroy flowering weeds around the crop.

- Mike

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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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