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 Dec 18, Gerard (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it safe to start growing butternut in January?
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27 Feb 18, Ndumie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it true that the growing butternut must not get direct sunlight? It must be covered?
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20 Jan 18, Leon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi - my butternut plants appears to have to many flowers/baby pumpkins. Will the stalk be able to sustain a lot of them or must they be thinned out?
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08 Oct 17, Theunsina (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Goeie dag Benodig 'n paar sade vir 'n funksie... Help asb Theunsina (--------------- Good day Need some seeds for a function ... Please help)
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19 Mar 17, Pieter Mentoor (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Like to know when can i plant giant pumpkin in the western cape
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20 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Pumpkins will grow in almost any areas as long as you have at least 5 months of good weather. They can be planted after the last frost (if you get frosts) and don't like being transplanted so plant them in small pots or toilet paper cylinders in early spring in a warm spot or inside to get a head start. If you use cardboard cylinders you can plant them in the ground and let the cylinder rot.
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13 Mar 17, Gary Williamson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Try some heritage pumpkins. Seeds on bid or buy or direct from Seeds For Africa or Livingseeds. Remember as much compost as you can use. If possible plant straight into the compost heap. Watch for powdery mildew when night temperatures go down or long wet humid weather prevails. It will knock your plants down in days.
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29 Jan 17, Dominic (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where would one get seeds for different variety of pumpkins is Gauteng. And where would one sale his/her produce?
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04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I would suggest you try nurseries and garden centres for seed. I you don't have any luck try 'pumpkin seed' on the internet. Pumpkins are generally very easy to sell to hotels, etc if they are home grown and properly ripe. Many shop pumpkins are not properly ripe. Trust this helps.
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13 Jan 17, noluthando (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have grown some butternut and its already big in size im not sure if i should harvest or not.what should i look for before harvesting.the same goes for pumpkin its already size of a ball.its so hard and green on the outside
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Showing 11 - 20 of 30 comments
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No I haven't been able to get any more Windsor Black seeds I only had a couple of seeds that were given to me, I planted them on the side of a very small hill in Heavy soil they grew and branched every where were getting male flowers And the female flowers were forming, but 10 days of solid rain the patch was absolutely saturated the rest of our property was flooded I thought they would be alright but thr female buds went yellow & dropped off. I prayed & begged for the vines not to die but 90% did.I was shattered. one vine in the row above it The McLeay Mongrel survived Another Victorian Pumpkin, was so sick I just forgot it, went down the Hill the other day the grass was 2 & 1/2 feet high and I trod on something in the grass and nearly fell over looked and found one McLeay Mongrel Pumpkin I have collected the seed from what has to be the weirdest Pumpkin ever, But probably the nicest eating Pumpkin ever, I would say it is probably the rarest as well. The McLeay Mongrel Is a very dry pumpkin with superb flavor much like Iron Bark sweeter & nuttier, I have looked at it it is more than likely a Triamble Iron Bark cross Maybe some Qld. Blue. I am offering 4 seeds up for Auction on eBay I do not have many seeds, so thought if I put a good reserve in them only the very serious growers would buy them. Be Warned it is not a pretty pumpkin but needs some serious pumpkin growers to keep it from extinction, it is a heavy solid pumpkin, looks like an Alien lava Rock. visit eBay Pumpkins just to see it. Regards. Sylvia.

- Sylvia Allan

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