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 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 - 120 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

01 Feb 20, paul polglase (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted pumpkin seeds from last years plants every little bit of space I can find in my yard this summer, plants are coming up everywhere and noticed the first pumpkins growing and looking very healthy. I was wondering if I can put a illtle bit of chicken manure around each plants base, as I think it,s the best thing to add to the garden, but away from the stems to give them areal kick in the guts?
03 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You should have done this in preparing the soil before planting the seeds. You need composted manure. Fresh manure won't do much for weeks until it is composted. Your plants will tell you how they are going. Good strong green looking plants don't need a good kick in the guts. Pale yellow weak plants do not have enough fertiliser.
25 Jan 20, Michael Daly (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have plenty of runners on my pumpkins when can you start cutting these off They are greys and green colours. Why are you not supposed to grow near potatoes.
27 Jan 20, anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You don't cut the runners (vine) off, how do you expect to grow any pumpkin if you cut them off.
23 Mar 21, Vinny (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
You do cut the runners but only once one or two pumpkins have started to bud from the flower. If you let the runners lead long they sap the goodness from the growing pumpkins making them small and even die off.
23 Jan 20, Tina Johnson (Australia - temperate climate)
My pumpkins have sprouted out of some compost I put in the soil. I though they were QLD pumpkins but they are still a light yellow colour, will they turn grey or should I pick them.
27 Jan 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have only grown Kent pumpkin the last two years so I don't know much about the other varieties. But a mature pumpkin yellow sounds maybe like a different variety. Doing a bit of reading on the internet might help. Don't pick pumpkin until they are about 18-22 weeks old, the vine will be dying off and the stem holding the pumpkin to the vine will become hard.
20 Jan 20, SA MID NORTH (Australia - arid climate)
Be careful using your grey water on edible crops due to pathogens
24 Jan 20, Jaz (Australia - arid climate)
I'm mid north SA also, I thought we were temperate??
19 Jan 20, Peter Golding (Australia - temperate climate)
I live on Sydneys Northern Beaches. I have my pumpkin vines growing flat out on my lawn. Maybe 3 months since planting from seeds. I notice they produce many flowers but as yet most have dropped off and none have turned to fruit. I have possums and Bandicoots around but dont think they are causing the issue. How can I please keep the flowers from dropping off? I keep the water up to them and have used seaweed solutions a few times and added fertiliser pellets. Thanks for your help in advance
Showing 161 - 170 of 825 comments

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