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 Sep 16, Nina Russell (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in suburban Adelaide can I use a slow release fertilizer on my pumpkin seedlings and how often should I water them?
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06 Aug 16, Paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Growing pumpkins here in Gracemere CQ. Has always be a difficult crop because of the powder mildew fungi , over watering the soil seems to be the main action that is the cause of this problem .pumpkins need to be kept moist but not damp. This year I am trying to water under ground method and covering the soil around the plant so as to stop the damp rising towards to plant leaves . . I will see if this will help ?
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19 Aug 16, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
Paul, try spraying the leaves with a mix of 1 tablespoon of full cream milk to 1ltr of water to get rid of the powdery mildew. The underground watering should help also. Cheers, Rob
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03 Aug 16, John Bushell (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi y'all, What is the reason that pumpkins should not be grown in the same plot as potatoes? How far separated do they need to be? Best wishes, John
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20 Jul 16, Lattsy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi! I live in CRANBOURNE Melbourne Victoria! Last season I grew a huge crop of spookie pumpkins and they gave my wifey her pumpkin fix till now! We have 3 left and they have held together perfectly! I am eager to grow butternut pear shaped pumpkins here and am just wondering if you could help me out with some advice?? What to feed em? When to seed em? What position? Do they respond to compost? Thanks regards lattsy!
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15 May 16, Cathy [email protected] (Australia - temperate climate)
Please someone ,could someone tell me when to plant butternut seeds. Now in May autumn and live in Melbourne in Victoria Australia
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04 Aug 16, Suzanne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Cathy Gerry Coleby Williams online at Gardening Australia says put your seeds in at 20C as this is temperature needed to germinate pumpkin and all 'curcubit' seeds. Gardenate for temperate Australia says Sep, Oct, Nov for planting. Seeds into some seed raising mix - you can sift your dry compost and add a bit of peat moss and use this as its equally as rich as any 'bought' seed raising mix and when you have actual leaves (as opposed to the first two green 'leaves' which are actually dicotyledons known as'dicots' and not leaves as the plant needs to grow and develop its leaves before being transplanted) plant them out. Hope this helps!
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03 May 16, Lynne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Because pumpkins are harvested around autumn should I dry out and save my seeds until spring for planting?
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17 Apr 16, Kevin hall (Australia - temperate climate)
During Autumn do I remove all pumpkin stems and re-compost the soil or trim the stems and cover with straw ?
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27 Apr 16, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
Either of them
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Just found this - commercial production. For efficient pollination and fruit set, there must be: both male and female flowers and bees to move pollen from male to female flowers. A number of factors can influence pollination, Cold and overcast days limit pollination activity of bees. Hot dry conditions desiccate pollen making it unviable. Rapid growth promotes earlier flowering. However, high temperatures, long days and high rates of nitrogen can result in: vigorous vegetative growth and few flowers and a higher proportion of male to female flowers. It is important to check the sex of the flowers. A ratio of 1 female to 7 male flowers is usually considered adequate. Flowers open early in the day and for one day only, and they close by mid afternoon. These periods are shorter under high temperatures. Flowers are most receptive to pollination in the morning when bee activity is usually the highest. Bees are necessary for pollination and must be active in the crop. Flowers require at least 12 bee visits for good pollination. If bees are not plentiful, introduce at least two hives per ha after female flowers appear and male flowers start producing pollen. Spread hives around the field outside the crop, preferably so that bees have to fly over the crop to get to another food source. Destroy flowering weeds around the crop.

- Mike

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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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