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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03 Mar 15, fred dag (Australia - arid climate)
You may also fine that your soil is lacking calcium, add some lime to your soil at planting time. If you are lacking bees try hand pollinating, plant lots of flowering plants, zinnias are great to attract pollinators, in the veggie garden.
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11 Jan 14, karen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
what can i use to stop the flies from stinging the fruit
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08 Jan 14, julia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi im trying to grow jap pumpkins in Ipswich near Brisbane in queensland we have both male and female flowers and have even tried to hand pollinate them but the females wither and fall off the plant after a week or so, could anyone give me some suggestions on how I can get a crop of pumpkins, we have a native bee hive in the garden also
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05 Jan 14, jeff o'brien (Australia - tropical climate)
Been growing jap pumpkin from seed. This time I have some pumpkin flowers which seems to be both male and female on same flower. On the inside, there is a tiny pumpkin, then the female style, stigma and on top of that the male stamen. Is this possible?
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04 Jan 14, D JAMES (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am interested in growing a giant pumpkin in Brisbane am I too late to start and also what do the giants actually taste like
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16 Dec 13, Karen (Australia - temperate climate)
Qtn 1:- Can we eat pumpkin flowers the same as zucchini flowers? Qtn 2:- If I remove some of the male & female flowers will that encourage others to grow larger pumpkins Qtn 3:- I have powdery mildew on a few leaves! Is it best to remove those leaves & dispose of into compost.
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27 Nov 13, Jerry (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I've just got land so would like to produce pumpkins now I realized time of planting has passed so I'd to know why I can't plant January because there's still rain and winter is few months away?
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20 Nov 13, robert cummins (Australia - temperate climate)
what to do with onion that develop a seed head?
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15 Dec 13, elle (Australia - arid climate)
plant it!
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08 Nov 13, Ron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am trying to grow Qld blue pumpkins in Brisbane but a fruit appears and after a while it turns yellow and dies. Do I have to pollinate myself because I can't think of any other reason.
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Showing 581 - 590 of 834 comments
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To Tony Bray..Pardon my tariness, had a beak away. Thanks very much for the pumpkin seeds Tony. Can't wait for September to get them started. To the group.... The garden is looking a bit bedraggled at the moment. Having a war with the possums. Tried napthalene, chilli, pepper. I know that a light on will deter them somewhat..even left a plate of fruit away from the garden beds. They ate that and came for dessert. The light is good but alas the chooks are near the veggie beds and when the light goes on the girls dash out of the coop thinking it is day light. So no lights. I can see more drastic measures coming up. Relocation... but even that is fraught with problems. If I get rid of them .... they invade someone elses garden .. So group any better ideas or am I doomed to go back to the greengrocer? Thanks MM

- Martha May

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