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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23 Feb 16, Mick O'neill (Australia - arid climate)
When is the right time to pick my Jap pumpkins?
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22 Feb 16, David (Australia - temperate climate)
It is the 22nd February Can I grow start my pumpkin from seed now or is it to late
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13 Mar 16, Elizabeth (Australia - temperate climate)
To late I planted mine late November. I have quite a few pumpkins on mine.
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13 Feb 16, Val (Australia - temperate climate)
how can I tell when my jarradale pumpkins are ready to harvest?
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30 Jan 16, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
My Kent or Jap pumpkin is rampaging thru my garden but hasn't formed any flowers yet can you please tell me when that is likely to happen. Thankyou.ps they were planted early Nov.
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09 Feb 16, Justin (Australia - arid climate)
They should be flowering after 4-6 weeks. Generally this is a sign of too much nitrogen and not enough potassium, you will need to mix it into the soil or get a water soluble type to water around the root zone. You can add Sulphate of Potash to increase the potassium which should encourage flowering and fruiting. you could also try calcium (dolomite lime) this will also make your soil more alkaline so would help to do a soil test first. If your soil is a clay type you could use gypsum instead to help break up the soil, it is also high in calcium.
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30 Jan 16, Shirlie (Australia - temperate climate)
I Planted my pumpkins on Cup Day, I still have no flowers but lots of vine trail plants. Am I doing anything wrong. 1st time pumpkin planter. Must admit I am over undated with very ripe juicy tomatoes.
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19 Jan 16, russell (Australia - temperate climate)
Very strong Queensland Blue plants but to many male flowers, not many female Any answers?
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11 Jan 16, bill (Australia - tropical climate)
I have a jap pumpkin It has produced two round pumpkins and two egg shaped pumpkins . The round ones are gray and the egg shaped are still green . They are from the same plant but different vines . Can any one tell me if this is normal .
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08 Jan 16, Glen Gilbert (Australia - arid climate)
My female fruits are turning yellow when they are about the size of a pea and flower is not even close to flowering. Can you help?
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Showing 371 - 380 of 679 comments
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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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