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

16 May 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I put the kitchen vegie scraps in a blender (with water) and strain it through shade cloth then add the vegie scraps to my worm farm. The pumpkin seeds aren't smashed up and the other week I had about 50 seeds germinate.
01 Apr 18, Grant Onysko (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow pumpkins every season. If you want your pumpkins to grow big you must make sure the entire plant gets watered and fertilised regularly as the vine sends down a root at about 1/2m intervals in search of water and food. When you start getting female flowers (with a pumpkin attached) you need to fertilise them by getting pollen from the male flower, just put your finger inside and you will see the pollen on it, gently brush it on to the middle of the female, once pollinated the new pumpkin will go into a growing frenzy, (I know they are about 90% water ) Water, water, water! And food, My best Kentia/ Jap went 12.2 kg 33cm high, save the seeds and keep them in the freezer. Veggies are the best.
28 Mar 18, Kara Wisniewski (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I planted pumpkins in mid November, they are still growing and i'm getting heaps of them. Do I just let them keep growing until they decide to dry off from the stalk? I live in Launceston,Tasmania
30 Mar 18, Jen Oscroft (Australia - temperate climate)
My Pumpkins are the same. Still growing like crazy and flowering. I thought they are supposed to be finished? This is my first time growing them down here (Victoria). I guess we'll just have to leave them until the plants die off.
02 Apr 18, Kaye (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
You can buy a piece of pumpkin you enjoy and if it has seeds keep those. Let them dry before planting again.
15 May 18, Ben (Australia - tropical climate)
I would advise against using shop bought pumpkin for seed. Most pumpkins grown commercially these days are hybrids that are bred to look like the well known varieties. They will not however produce true to type offspring. If you are happy to take pot luck then by all means go ahead and plant them, but if you really want a good tried and true pumpkin variety you will need to get seed from a seed supplier or a friend who has grown them before. Happy gardening one and all.
26 Mar 18, Maddie (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my kent pumkins in September and have javested about 8 mature pumpkins...new pumkins are now starting on the same vine. Will they mature even though it is coming into winter?
21 Mar 18, Cecilia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Why are my home grown pumpkins watery? Not nice mashed.Would they make a nice soup.?
23 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same - maybe they might dry out if left for a month or so. Mine are jap - very sweet and moist. I probably pick them a bit early as I wanted to dig the garden up to plant other crops.
20 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to grow pumpkin in raised beds without much luck. I have flowers that don't fruit. I have lots of bees in other beds but suspect there is a pollination issue. How do you tell the difference between female & male flowers, then how do I pollinate the female flower?
Showing 241 - 250 of 679 comments

I am just south of Townsville and planted Qld Blue pumpkin seeds in early April in good soil with correct PH levels. Plenty of space to run and good sunshine and watered daily. The plants grew well for about 6 weeks producing masses of mostly male flowers?? I had plenty of bees doing their job, but still only got two pumpkins that didn't reach maturity before the plants died off about 2-3 weeks ago. We did have a couple of 6deg nights but nothing lower. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Cheers

- LynnStinten

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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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