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

29 Jan 19, Richard (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I'm growing grey pumpkins,do they grow bigger fruit if you cut end of runners off once plant has several pumpkins on it.
03 Feb 19, mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you want a few big ones or a lot of average to good size? My cues last year - if I had cut - would have picked 18 - left to grow 49 cues.
31 Jan 19, mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't cut unless limited by space.
31 Jan 19, James (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes they do mate
22 Jan 19, Sal (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have 3 healthy pumpkins growing on the vine but the new baby ones are going yellow and dying. What causes this?
22 Jan 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They are going yellow and dying because they have not been pollinated. Try using a soft small paint brush, or something similar, to transfer some pollen from a 'male' flower (one without a tiny pumpkin behind it) to a 'female' flower - one with a tiny pumkin behind it.
23 Jan 19, Sal (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for that, I assumed that if a pumpkin formed it must have been pollinated.
28 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The female flowers are only open for 1 day and usually closed by lunch. Have to be on the ball to pollinate them.
22 Jan 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Or break off a male flower and peel back the flower part, then rub the female flower with the male part. Make sure the male has pollen on it by testing with your finger. Even do this with 2-3 male flowers.
19 Jan 19, jamie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi guys i havetried growing butternut and have had white mildew distroy everything any tips on preventing this in such a humid climate? thanks
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