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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27 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Lyn - the first sentence in the notes - frost tender. 6 degree nights - offical temp is taken 1 meter above the ground. So ground level may have been frost. It says to plant April to July -I'd be inclined to plant July and plant out late August after frosts. Pumpkin usually have male flowers first (to start attacting bees I believe) and then the female and male after that.
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30 Jun 18, Luke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should I plant/treat winter squash such as Red Kuri the same as pumpkins?
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02 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check a website called southern harvest for planting times.
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29 Jun 18, Anne Jeffrey (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you please advise me on where to search for Windsor Black seeds, I've been searching for what seems like ever and had no success, I'm trying to revive this pumpkin for my mother who's in her 70s Thank you
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02 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
Try thelostseed.c.a - they have them but are out of stock at the moment. Ring or send an email as they may have some packets left.
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16 Jun 18, Patricia (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best vege to plant after pumkins
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16 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A root vegetable crop. Type into google
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31 May 18, Jill Western (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to plant some butternut pumpkin in a warm sheltered area that has rich soil. Is it possible to plant now in June. Also should I use seeds or buy plants. Thankyou.
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01 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A warm sheltered area in June July August is not warm at night. It says to plant in Sept to Dec for a reason - it is a summer growing crop.
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26 May 18, Kerri (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have 2 pet chickens and a whole front yard of pumpkins because of the chickens. Somehow in the rains in February 18 we started growing pumpkins. There’s 6 or more good sized Kent pumpkins there that we can see. I cut one the other day and it was just yellow inside, still a little soft but tasted ok. How long should I wait to harvest the rest?
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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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