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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30 Oct 09, Russ (Australia - temperate climate)
the female flower is the one with the small pumpkin at the base. the others are male. i usually break off bits of the center of the male flower with the pollen and drop it in the middle of the female flower. Sounds like the pine needles are acting like mulch and stopping the sandy soil from drying out as fast.
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13 Oct 09, Marlene Traynor (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am from Brisbane, but I actually live in Spokane, WA, which is snow country. I manage to get one pumpkin to grow a year, which keeps me going in seeds. I also have the problem of lots of pumpkins start, but then they turn yellow and quit growing. How do you tell the difference between male and female flowers so that I can start self polinating. Also, we have sprinkler systems so I can either give them a lot of water, or a little water. What do they like. Our soil is sandy and gets very hot in the summer. By accident, I found that I have better luck if I throw the seeds in my pine needle pile. If anyone can email me any tips I would be very grateful. Pumpkins are my little bit of home that I have with me and I would hate to run out of seeds. Marlene
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03 Oct 09, Leota Cole (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What is the MCClay pumpkin
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08 Sep 09, connor (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my jarrahdale pumpkins have a rash or blotchy mark in the flesh what causes this please help me. its frustating grfowing a nice big pumpkin and cutting it open to find this.
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02 Sep 09, Amanda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
To Martha May - re the possums, try Lap sang Soo Chong tea as strong as possible to spray around ( you can buy it at the supermarket) mix and allow to cool - put in spray bottle and spray around - won't hurt plants but believe possums hate it!
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27 Aug 09, Queen Vic (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Folks. We have a strip about 2 metres wide between the house and a 2 metre high fence. It's on the SW side of the house so only sees sunshine late in the day. Do you thinks pumpkns (or anything else) would grow successfully there. We are close to the beach in Mandurah WA. Thanks.
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24 Aug 09, redneckplanter (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
anybody able to send any pumpkin seeds from the land down under to a limey in texas?lol seriously? lemmie know?thanks.
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23 Aug 09, mick (Australia - tropical climate)
our leaves are turning yellow and there is no white mildew on them wondering what is the cause lack of water or to much or whatever tips u can give us would be grateull
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24 Jul 09, Anneliese (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
anyone grown Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato? thoughts please
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30 Jun 09, Linda C (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, just built a house on a new block, and itching to start my vegi patch! Planning on doing some soil improvement by digging in dirt from the saleyards (manure and hay mix, aged) and wanting to get some pumpkins in the ground. Would I be able to plant some seeds now in egg cartons, and when my garden patch is ready transplant the whole thing in the ground? Just curious. Thanks.
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No I haven't been able to get any more Windsor Black seeds I only had a couple of seeds that were given to me, I planted them on the side of a very small hill in Heavy soil they grew and branched every where were getting male flowers And the female flowers were forming, but 10 days of solid rain the patch was absolutely saturated the rest of our property was flooded I thought they would be alright but thr female buds went yellow & dropped off. I prayed & begged for the vines not to die but 90% did.I was shattered. one vine in the row above it The McLeay Mongrel survived Another Victorian Pumpkin, was so sick I just forgot it, went down the Hill the other day the grass was 2 & 1/2 feet high and I trod on something in the grass and nearly fell over looked and found one McLeay Mongrel Pumpkin I have collected the seed from what has to be the weirdest Pumpkin ever, But probably the nicest eating Pumpkin ever, I would say it is probably the rarest as well. The McLeay Mongrel Is a very dry pumpkin with superb flavor much like Iron Bark sweeter & nuttier, I have looked at it it is more than likely a Triamble Iron Bark cross Maybe some Qld. Blue. I am offering 4 seeds up for Auction on eBay I do not have many seeds, so thought if I put a good reserve in them only the very serious growers would buy them. Be Warned it is not a pretty pumpkin but needs some serious pumpkin growers to keep it from extinction, it is a heavy solid pumpkin, looks like an Alien lava Rock. visit eBay Pumpkins just to see it. Regards. Sylvia.

- Sylvia Allan

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