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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17 Dec 23, Brett (Australia - temperate climate)
It is fairly easy. A male flower has a single central stem in the middle of the flower. Like a small pencil. It has a sort of yellow pollen on it. A female flower has a circular thing in the middle of the flower. If you want to hand fertilise you just break off the male stem and stick it in the female thing and rub the pollen off. It is the same procedure as for all life I suppose.
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27 Nov 23, FOX MAN (USA - Zone 8b climate)
what is the biggest type of pumpkin in a zone 8b area?
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26 Nov 23, Retha (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Months to plant maize, beans and pumpkin
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16 Sep 23, Jan (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
When is the best time to harvest pumkin(squash)
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19 Sep 23, (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Best to harvest 15-20 weeks after planting
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05 Sep 23, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any suggestions for pumpkin fly? They are rampant here.
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yellow sticky card board - buy from bunnings or the internet.
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18 May 23, tyler (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can you grow Kent in winter or does it die off ?
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19 May 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the planting guide again.
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06 Apr 23, Kat (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow Kent pumpkin in autumn winter in Coffs Harbour area ?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 833 comments
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Japanese Pumpkins have really long runners (Vines) The male flowers always come first, then the females follow in a couple of weeks then you may have to hand pollinate them if there are not enough bees or insects. it is easy just pick a male flower and brush the pollen gently on the stigma of the female flower early in the morning, you can recognize the female flower because it has the small pumpkin under the flower. It is often suggested to cut the main long runner when about 10 feet long (3m) But here in the Lockyer valley the farmers plant acres of them & get tons of pumpkins, I am sure they don't go to that trouble, they just let them grow. A fertilizer PK of 6.6,6 is ideal as to much Phos. will grow all leaves and little or no pumpkins when the female flower isn't fertilized it will go black/brown and fall off. also if stung by fruit fly will do the same only if you break it open it will be full of fruit fly larvae. How ever when you have a pumpkin setting , you can grow it larger if you cut the vine runner off. can help protect it from fruit fly and birds by covering with straw or a larger pot with a bit of gauze in the bottom and place fruit fly traps. hope this helps. sgallan07

- sgallan07

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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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