Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Mar	Apr	May
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

20 Apr 16, Linda (Australia - arid climate): I would love to buy some Windsor black seeds Please contact me as my mother is wanting some Ty
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07 Jun 10, Shane (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I just moved into a house and the weeds had over grown after clearing out the garden I found a healthy butter nut pumkin vine however I accidently ripped up the roots when clearing it out I have reburried the roots but the vine is dieing how can save it?
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16 Jun 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate): If the roots were torn then it's probably a lost cause. You could try copious watering to try and save it, but it's late in the season now for pumpkins, anyway.
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03 Jun 10, pat (Australia - temperate climate): i grew my japs by just throwing the inside of pumpkins under some dirt. got heaps of pumpkins but not sure what to do after picking to ripen them.
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20 Jun 10, johntone (Australia - temperate climate): Store the pumpkins for a few months in the shade and they should be ok to use for making chutney, jam, scones,bread etc.Mine seem to last for about 8 months after being picked.Any that get some withering,make some pumpkin soup.yum - yum!
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23 May 10, alan wylie (Australia - temperate climate): please advise on ripening after removing from vine jap pumpkins thank you
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23 May 10, Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Alan, have a look at the comments from Pete and Jef - I think they answer this for you.
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22 May 10, Shane (Australia - cool/mountain climate): When pumpkins are ready they will have a hollow sound if you 'rap' on the outside. Just don't use "Ice T" when rapping or they'll harden. ;-)
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23 Jul 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): when the imbilicle [ small curly vine from the top] is dead and dried up, then your pumpkin is ready. Goes for all pumpkins. Get a frost on top and you are LOL.
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19 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate): I have dozens of self sown pumpkins, kent variety, the are getting really big, when do I know when to pick them, and also do they continue to ripen of the vine. hope someone can help.. thaks
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Replying to:

Great tip from Yarralumla Nursery: I've had trouble getting my pumpkin fruit to set. I get small fruit up to 10cm that then wither and die. I've corrected acid, I've hand pollinated, I've water regularly and fertilized heavily, all to no avail. Someone at the nursery asked if the plant was large, healthy and still producing shoots - yes it was. They suggested clipping the ends of each tendril/shoot to stop it growing so the plant can concentrate on growing fruit, not leaves. It seemed to work - the next few flowers to polinate have progressed to a mature pumpkin.

- Steve

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Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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