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

16 Apr 19, Lynette (Australia - temperate climate)
I have pumpkins coming up now from garden compost. Is it too late to let them grow?
22 Apr 19, Robyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Depends what climate zone you live in, what type they are and if you have cold conditions and frost. They probably germinated due to the warmth of the compost so if they are in a warm sheltered position you could let them grow and see if they reach maturity. Then you will be able to keep the seeds as they will be acclimatised to local conditions and should always grow better than seeds introduced from elsewhere. All depends on if you have the room to experiment.
13 Apr 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Vine shows no signss of dying off 12 April but only 1 big pumpkin and some small ones.Melbourne.Will they grow now or is it too cold
13 Apr 19, G carr (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What causes the white mould type stuff that attacks pumpkins .I try hard not to spray is there a none chemical solutions to this problem. Thank you
06 Apr 19, Diahann Jackson (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 19 butternut pumpkins on my vine and it is starting to die off, how long should I continue to feed the plant for and is it best to wait till the plant has completely dead before harvesting the pumpkins?
19 Mar 19, Robyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We live in North Otago NZ what time of year & how do you know that your pumpkins are ready to harvest the plants are named little cutties
16 Mar 19, Margaret Reynolds (Australia - temperate climate)
I live on the NSW South Coast in Australia and my butternut pumpkin gets pumpkins up to about 4 inches then they go yellow , die and fall off. Should I pull them out and try again next year.
17 Mar 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do some research on the internet butternut pumpkin turning yellow and falling off. Many reasons why it is happening.
15 Mar 19, LESLEY MCCUBBIN (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to grow Queensland Blue pumpkins. They are next to a lavendar bush and well polinated. Lots of baby pumpkins, but they do not grow very big before they go yellow and die. Some of the leaves have gone brown, so I have removed them. Any thoughts on how I can remedy the situation.
17 Mar 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
You have lavender but do you have bees? Do some research about the subject - going yellow and falling off. In temperate climate I would start my pumpkins in Sept Oct and grow into the summer. Prepare - manure/compost/fertiliser the soil for a few weeks before planting and plant in a different position each year.
Showing 211 - 220 of 825 comments

When is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds please? We live on the Kapiti Coast.

- Annie

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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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