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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17 Dec 23, Brett (Australia - temperate climate)
It is fairly easy. A male flower has a single central stem in the middle of the flower. Like a small pencil. It has a sort of yellow pollen on it. A female flower has a circular thing in the middle of the flower. If you want to hand fertilise you just break off the male stem and stick it in the female thing and rub the pollen off. It is the same procedure as for all life I suppose.
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27 Nov 23, FOX MAN (USA - Zone 8b climate)
what is the biggest type of pumpkin in a zone 8b area?
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26 Nov 23, Retha (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Months to plant maize, beans and pumpkin
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16 Sep 23, Jan (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
When is the best time to harvest pumkin(squash)
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19 Sep 23, (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Best to harvest 15-20 weeks after planting
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05 Sep 23, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Any suggestions for pumpkin fly? They are rampant here.
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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yellow sticky card board - buy from bunnings or the internet.
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18 May 23, tyler (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can you grow Kent in winter or does it die off ?
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19 May 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the planting guide again.
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06 Apr 23, Kat (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow Kent pumpkin in autumn winter in Coffs Harbour area ?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 833 comments
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I have been growing Queensland Blues & Jap Pumpkins here in Sydneys West for a while and would like to know the following : Male flowers are plentiful usually at the start of the vine & female flowers are not as many but as the vine lengthens more females appear, so how far do you let the vine grow. If cut does the right ratio of flowers continue shoot or that stops everything, what you have is all you get and do you plug the cut end to prevent disease getting into the vine (read that on the net) Also everyone says when the vine withers pick your crop, mine was going great and green but I picked them (stem still green & firm) as I felt they were large enough but several had started to rot inside, we saved them luckey as another couple of weeks would have lost the lot. So how do you know when to pick. heard about tapping it sound hollow its ripe, pick a piece of skin with fingernail the skin can give you an idea. Noticed in the fruit shop many pumpkins have fingernail pieces dug out ??? somebody know something !!!!! As the pumpkin is pollinated & starts to grow do you sit it on a tile or similar keeping it off the ground ( for air & warmth circulation) sometimes when left on the ground the under side looks soft and worms and bugs seem to love that position.

- Robert B

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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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