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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09 May 13, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkins from seed on the south east coast of NSW
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11 May 13, Justine (Australia - temperate climate)
Its harvest time for pumpkins here Diane... you will have to wait till spring to get your pumpkin seeds growing
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11 May 13, Barb (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Diane, I'm in the Shoalhaven and I plant mine Sept/Oct. We' have a bumper crop each year. I think once the frosts have finished in your area and the days are warming a bit is fine. Cover them compost and mulch to give them a bit of warmth to start with.
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02 May 13, Joan Adams (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I tried growing pumpkin in composted soil and have 4 tiny pumpkins which stopped growing. How do I get larger fruits in future?
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24 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
They are not getting pollinated, you need to get a feather and dip it in the flowers that don't have a pumpkin on them, then gently stick the feather into the ones that do.
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21 Apr 13, JanineW (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's nearly end of April & we had our 1st frost last night & my jap pumpkin plants have turned up their leaves we've only got 2 pumpkins but I don't believe they are ripe yet so do I leave them or take them off?
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24 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Put bricks or the like underneath them to get them off the ground, but don't pick them until the stalks turn brown, this is the sign they are ready. If the stalks are green they are still getting nutrient from the plant
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08 Apr 13, June (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted potkin & Qld Blue pumpkins. They all keep going yellow and dying when they first form. Does anybody know why this keeps happening please.
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06 Apr 13, Des Harrison (Australia - temperate climate)
My vines develop small green pumpkins and after a week they turn yellow and fall off the stem. What is the problem?
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22 May 22, Kristene (Australia - tropical climate)
They sound like they haven’t been pollinated.
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Showing 481 - 490 of 679 comments
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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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