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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09 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably plant pumpkin now and leave the potatoes until April.
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06 Mar 18, Kerrie (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant Pumpkins - 70km east of Perth?
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07 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - arid climate)
You are probably temperate/Arid. have a go plant them now.
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02 Mar 18, Lynn Ollington (Australia - temperate climate)
How do stop pumpkins rotting on vine
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05 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The female flower is there for a few days - if it is not pollinated then it will rot and fall off. If you put water into the flower it will probably rot. The flower is only open for one morning so hand pollinate it if you don't have any bees. There is a shortage of bees world wide. It might be a bug/disease and I have no idea. Have the plants out in the open and not in shade damp areas. Water low and in the late afternoon - no water into the female flower.
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27 Feb 18, Ndumie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it true that the growing butternut must not get direct sunlight? It must be covered?
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23 Feb 18, Trudi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have lots of pumpkin flowers but only one pumpkin has formed. A friend mentioned male and female flowers. Can/should I remove flowers that aren't going to produce fruit?
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26 Feb 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you go to the Australian - sub-tropical zone - there is quite a bit about this with pumpkin. Pumpkin produce male flowers first then they have female flowers, The female flower is only open for one day (until about mid day). No bees no pumpkin. So hand pollination is required. Take about two male flowers and rub the female flowers with it. Look up the internet on how to do it. This applies to zucchini, cues and melons also I believe.
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09 Feb 18, bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
Butternut pumpkins...planted mid Nov'. do they change colour & sound hollow when ripe? we are a bit dubious when to harvest.
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12 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Harvesting Knowing when to harvest pumpkins is no great mystery, firstly the skin should be hard, secondly the stem leading to the vine should be hard as well, this indicates that the pumpkin is no longer taking in nutrients. And Thirdly when given a tap it should sound a little hollow. SO how long from planting to harvest 3 – 4 months. When you do harvest them make sure you leave a good amount of stem attached, this helps them last longer and prevents rot. Many growers like to leave them in the field until the first frost hits as this will knock back the vines but also toughen the pumpkin and some say make it taste sweeter and keep longer.
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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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