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)
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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28 Aug 22, marco (Australia - arid climate)
i live on the gold coast .my pumpkin have been growing for a month ,slow growing yet still alive .the ones i have self pollinated are going well. the other i left not so good .try growing zuchinne very rewarding .
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25 May 22, Kylie (Australia - arid climate)
I have a kent pumpkin vine that is producing huge fruit. The vine is still very healthy, but the pumpkins are easily 5kg each already and don't show any signs of slowing their growth. Any tips on when to harvest? I don't want to lose the lot, but i also don't want to pick too early. I live in central QLD and we have had a fair wet season.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 833 comments
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No I haven't been able to get any more Windsor Black seeds I only had a couple of seeds that were given to me, I planted them on the side of a very small hill in Heavy soil they grew and branched every where were getting male flowers And the female flowers were forming, but 10 days of solid rain the patch was absolutely saturated the rest of our property was flooded I thought they would be alright but thr female buds went yellow & dropped off. I prayed & begged for the vines not to die but 90% did.I was shattered. one vine in the row above it The McLeay Mongrel survived Another Victorian Pumpkin, was so sick I just forgot it, went down the Hill the other day the grass was 2 & 1/2 feet high and I trod on something in the grass and nearly fell over looked and found one McLeay Mongrel Pumpkin I have collected the seed from what has to be the weirdest Pumpkin ever, But probably the nicest eating Pumpkin ever, I would say it is probably the rarest as well. The McLeay Mongrel Is a very dry pumpkin with superb flavor much like Iron Bark sweeter & nuttier, I have looked at it it is more than likely a Triamble Iron Bark cross Maybe some Qld. Blue. I am offering 4 seeds up for Auction on eBay I do not have many seeds, so thought if I put a good reserve in them only the very serious growers would buy them. Be Warned it is not a pretty pumpkin but needs some serious pumpkin growers to keep it from extinction, it is a heavy solid pumpkin, looks like an Alien lava Rock. visit eBay Pumpkins just to see it. Regards. Sylvia.

- Sylvia Allan

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