Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Mar	Apr	May
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

10 Sep 16, MANDLENKOSI WILFRED MABIZELA (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): What fertilizers should I use when growing pumpkins?
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04 Sep 16, Nina Russell (Australia - temperate climate): I live in suburban Adelaide can I use a slow release fertilizer on my pumpkin seedlings and how often should I water them?
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06 Aug 16, Paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Growing pumpkins here in Gracemere CQ. Has always be a difficult crop because of the powder mildew fungi , over watering the soil seems to be the main action that is the cause of this problem .pumpkins need to be kept moist but not damp. This year I am trying to water under ground method and covering the soil around the plant so as to stop the damp rising towards to plant leaves . . I will see if this will help ?
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19 Aug 16, Rob (Australia - temperate climate): Paul, try spraying the leaves with a mix of 1 tablespoon of full cream milk to 1ltr of water to get rid of the powdery mildew. The underground watering should help also. Cheers, Rob
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03 Aug 16, John Bushell (Australia - temperate climate): Hi y'all, What is the reason that pumpkins should not be grown in the same plot as potatoes? How far separated do they need to be? Best wishes, John
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20 Jul 16, Lattsy (Australia - temperate climate): Hi! I live in CRANBOURNE Melbourne Victoria! Last season I grew a huge crop of spookie pumpkins and they gave my wifey her pumpkin fix till now! We have 3 left and they have held together perfectly! I am eager to grow butternut pear shaped pumpkins here and am just wondering if you could help me out with some advice?? What to feed em? When to seed em? What position? Do they respond to compost? Thanks regards lattsy!
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15 May 16, Cathy TosselCathntone@gmail.com (Australia - temperate climate): Please someone ,could someone tell me when to plant butternut seeds. Now in May autumn and live in Melbourne in Victoria Australia
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04 Aug 16, Suzanne (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Cathy Gerry Coleby Williams online at Gardening Australia says put your seeds in at 20C as this is temperature needed to germinate pumpkin and all 'curcubit' seeds. Gardenate for temperate Australia says Sep, Oct, Nov for planting. Seeds into some seed raising mix - you can sift your dry compost and add a bit of peat moss and use this as its equally as rich as any 'bought' seed raising mix and when you have actual leaves (as opposed to the first two green 'leaves' which are actually dicotyledons known as'dicots' and not leaves as the plant needs to grow and develop its leaves before being transplanted) plant them out. Hope this helps!
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09 May 16, Meri Ford (USA - Zone 8a climate): IT says not to plant pumpkins in the same bed as potatoes. How far from potatoes can pumpkins be planted?
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06 May 16, Carina Powell (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): I have grown pumpkins 2 years in a row that have hard white lumps in them, I have bought a plant both times so I am thinking it must be something to do with were they are growing. Any idea of what could be coursing this?
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For Robert B of Sydney West,17 April, dette-19April andMichael Stapleton 4 May. Forget about growing Jap Pumpkins. They are rubbish, far too soft to make good roasting pumpkin.. About growing pumpkins - plant your seed in September/October, male flowers will appear then in second week January the females will start. If fruit does not develop and turns yellow and dies that means the female has not been pollinated by the male, due to absence of bees. You will have to do it by hand. Determine how many fruit you want and then remove any female flowers that appear. I usually leave this until March. Do NOT prune the end of your vine. Feed with potash and phosphorous (liquid manure the best organic source). Note - phosphorous helps initiate the onset of female flowers The first pumpkins will be ready to pick in mid April. Place some coarse straw under the vine in January where you find a female (to prevent rot). Happy to answer any questions and provide seed of "Ironbark", the original Aussie pumpkin and still the best for colour, flavour and texture (sweet, smooth and dry - lovely) Tony 02 62310508

- tony bray

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Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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