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

08 Feb 13, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Brenden I grow my Betternut along a brush fence . I secure the runners every metre and hang the fruit in the bum section of Pantyhose . Do not have any problems . Laurie Melbourne
07 Feb 13, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Karen did you have any success with Windsor Black Pumpkin . Sylvia Allen says she has them .
03 Feb 13, LeanneMacLeod (Australia - temperate climate)
We have some Queenland Grey pumpkins growing and wonder wether we need to lift the maturing pumpkins up off the ground to avoid them rotting. We are in Emerald Victoria
02 Feb 13, ashley Kitching (Australia - temperate climate)
My Pumpkin vine is growing okay, plenty of flowers and have pumpkins forming, but, when they get to the size of a snall apple they become soft and fall from vine. This is the first time I have tried growing pumpkins and would love to have some success Thanking you in advance Ashley
14 Feb 13, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
Ashley it sounds like your pumpkins are not being pollinated... Normally this is done by insects like bees... You can do this yourself, get out in the early hours (when the flowers are fresh and pollen is fertile) and take the pollen dust from a male flower (flower that is on a long stem) with a brush and liberally dust it onto the female flower (flower attached to a bulb which becomes the pumpkin) and the fruit should set.
30 Jan 13, John Maddocks (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am growing Queensland Blue pumpkins fro seed packed by Yates ,sofar all I have are healthy plants with all female flowers .so even if there bees around we would still not flowers ,advise please
19 Jan 13, Judy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We have too many male flowers on our vines , how do you tell the difference between male & female seeds before planting. Is this possible?
21 Jan 13, Rache; (Australia - temperate climate)
Plants are monecious but with unisexual flowers ie. have both male & female flowers on the same plant. Generally male flowers are produced first on the vine with the female flowers coming later. A common problem that arises is too few female flowers - sometimes you just have to be patient, they'll come - or sometimes a nutrient imbalance - too much or too little.
18 Jan 13, Angela (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
The watermelon split/cracked before it is ripe why?? Pumpkins form but they then rot when the size of an egg, what could be the problem Appreciate any tips,comments Thanks
08 Jan 13, Edwarn (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi there I planted pumpkin about a month or 2 ago and there's 3 medium sized pumpkins on the plants but I had to removed 2 already due to rotting and I also found worms inside the rot. Can you tell me what the problem is and what can I do to get rid of it? I will really appreciate it if you can help.
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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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