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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19 Mar 22, Elizabeth Koch (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My pumpkins 2 Queensland blue have grown to about 6inches across, but now are starting to die. Lost a lot of smaller ones, about 2 to 3 inches big. Doing all the right things I think. The butternut have no problems.
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02 Apr 22, marco (Australia - tropical climate)
pumpkin trick is to deep plant the pumpkin from the start .dig a 1 foot plant in that, do not fill hole full of ground . let plant grow . when the plant is well above hole fill hole with soil .find the path u want the plant to grow and dont move . as the plant grows take out the runner branches .let grow for 3 to 4 meters then let 2 or 3 runners grow .when you have about 3 pumpkins nib any new runners ,keep pumpkin off soil use timber or tile .also as the plant grows the plant wants to grow up ,just put trowel on the growth ,this keeps it low to ground .why u grow 3 meters is because the leaves collect sun make plant strong for pumpkin to grow .also growing low to ground roots can appear at each branch that helps plant .i look at my plant at least once a week in growing time because u need to control its growth .i grew 3 big pumpkins for the first time and its worth all the attention .if u let it go wild the flowers just fall off or a pumpkin dies after a week or so and u end up with nothing
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07 Jun 22, Meghan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
marco. you dig a hole and plant pumpkin seeds? don't you plant in a mound? can you plant seeds now?
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23 Feb 22, JUDITH MCPHERSON (Australia - temperate climate)
Why would I not be getting female flowers on my butternut vines?
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25 Feb 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Female flowers follow the male ones and it sometimes takes a few days for them to start.
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13 Dec 21, Glen barlow (Australia - temperate climate)
What should you put under the pumpkin to stop it rotting on the bare ground
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31 Dec 21, FaithCeleste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
I generally just place an old piece of wood (1" thick x 4" wide any length I have), or maybe an old small crate to lift it off the ground: it's really the soil getting onto the pumpkin that causes the decay.
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12 Feb 22, Sarah Akins (Australia - temperate climate)
I’ve been putting old seedling pots under them. Good way to reuse the plastic.
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14 Dec 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some thing that allows water to drain away quickly,
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30 Nov 21, Robert (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there just wont to know wot is the latest you can plant pumpkins in south Australia
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Showing 31 - 40 of 679 comments
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For Robert B of Sydney West,17 April, dette-19April andMichael Stapleton 4 May. Forget about growing Jap Pumpkins. They are rubbish, far too soft to make good roasting pumpkin.. About growing pumpkins - plant your seed in September/October, male flowers will appear then in second week January the females will start. If fruit does not develop and turns yellow and dies that means the female has not been pollinated by the male, due to absence of bees. You will have to do it by hand. Determine how many fruit you want and then remove any female flowers that appear. I usually leave this until March. Do NOT prune the end of your vine. Feed with potash and phosphorous (liquid manure the best organic source). Note - phosphorous helps initiate the onset of female flowers The first pumpkins will be ready to pick in mid April. Place some coarse straw under the vine in January where you find a female (to prevent rot). Happy to answer any questions and provide seed of "Ironbark", the original Aussie pumpkin and still the best for colour, flavour and texture (sweet, smooth and dry - lovely) Tony 02 62310508

- tony bray

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