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

30 Jan 16, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
My Kent or Jap pumpkin is rampaging thru my garden but hasn't formed any flowers yet can you please tell me when that is likely to happen. Thankyou.ps they were planted early Nov.
09 Feb 16, Justin (Australia - arid climate)
They should be flowering after 4-6 weeks. Generally this is a sign of too much nitrogen and not enough potassium, you will need to mix it into the soil or get a water soluble type to water around the root zone. You can add Sulphate of Potash to increase the potassium which should encourage flowering and fruiting. you could also try calcium (dolomite lime) this will also make your soil more alkaline so would help to do a soil test first. If your soil is a clay type you could use gypsum instead to help break up the soil, it is also high in calcium.
30 Jan 16, Shirlie (Australia - temperate climate)
I Planted my pumpkins on Cup Day, I still have no flowers but lots of vine trail plants. Am I doing anything wrong. 1st time pumpkin planter. Must admit I am over undated with very ripe juicy tomatoes.
19 Jan 16, russell (Australia - temperate climate)
Very strong Queensland Blue plants but to many male flowers, not many female Any answers?
11 Jan 16, bill (Australia - tropical climate)
I have a jap pumpkin It has produced two round pumpkins and two egg shaped pumpkins . The round ones are gray and the egg shaped are still green . They are from the same plant but different vines . Can any one tell me if this is normal .
08 Jan 16, Glen Gilbert (Australia - arid climate)
My female fruits are turning yellow when they are about the size of a pea and flower is not even close to flowering. Can you help?
06 Jan 16, Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Butternut pumpkins and pumpkins have started to grow. I won't know if they are not fertilized until they go mushy. Can I trim the vines and leave the best pumpkins to develop? Does it hurt to trim off leaves if a vine seems too leafy ? Jill
04 Jan 16, Katy (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm new to this gardening business - at least, I've never had much luck before. Possums or bugs have eaten everything I've tried to grow, but 2016 is my year to succeed in the garden! I would like to plant some pumpkin seeds. Am I too late to do this now? Do I need to wait until after next winter to get seedlings going, or will I still be OK to plant some in January in Sydney? TIA
05 Jan 16, Kathleen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you get them in now Katy you should have some success. I'd probably go for the butternut or the golden nuggets. Good luck.
30 Dec 15, des (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted 4 seeds, 3 have produced some small yellow pumpins,the other ,which i placed awire mesh around , hased produced 3 nice sized pumpkins.But, they are green,not yellow.Can you tell me why , and what to do? Thank you
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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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