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

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?
23 Jul 17, Dennis Green (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have the same problem. So far I have not found a definitive answer. Lack of water? Not last summer! Deficiency? Maybe, but cannot find any help there neither. Some pumkin have maybe one lump, others go to the cattle.
03 May 16, Lynne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Because pumpkins are harvested around autumn should I dry out and save my seeds until spring for planting?
17 Apr 16, Kevin hall (Australia - temperate climate)
During Autumn do I remove all pumpkin stems and re-compost the soil or trim the stems and cover with straw ?
27 Apr 16, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
Either of them
16 Apr 16, Kathleen Broberg (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it ok to plant pumpkin seeds now in WA. We live in the perth hills at Lesmurdie
28 Mar 16, Lu (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds in Perth W.A.
23 Mar 16, PHil BEvan (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you control fungus in pumkin vines
24 Mar 16, Alan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Phil, You can prevent fungal attack simply by watering directly to the base of the pumpkin plant & never spray watering. Its difficult because the plant spreads so I stake lengths of 25mm poly at planting so I don't have to walk through the plants & simply use a funnel in the end of the poly to deliver water morning & night. A weekly dose of seaweed extract is given the same way. At the end of the season when the plants are mature you can spray a little copper but I generally remove the pumpkins, eat the tips & compost the rest. Hope this helps, Al.
04 Mar 16, Toni (Australia - temperate climate)
Phil Ware sub tropical small pumpkins forming then dropping off. I hand pollinated all new pumpkins. Only one grew large. For space reasons (small garden) I cut the pumpkin from the vine and kept a length of vine attached. When might cut up and cook soup etc?
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