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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02 Apr 14, jenni (Australia - temperate climate)
at our community garden we are inundated with slaters.....they ate down to soil level 5 of the 6 pumpkin seedlings, approx 6inches long, that we have just planted. we need help please
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10 Apr 14, Steven (Australia - temperate climate)
I think slaters typically only eat decaying garden matter. My vegetable seedlings, including pumpkins, were being consistently eaten in my greenhouse this year. It took me a while to figure out that it was actually rats and mice. They were eating the seedlings, snail bait, and eventually Ratsak. Now they can't eat.
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06 Mar 14, Kyria (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted "mini golden nuggets". I have noticed that on every inch of plant mainly under the leaves there are eggs EVERYWHERE!! All over the entire crop. Judging from pics they don't look like squash bugs I have no idea what they are or how to treat them... Any ideas? I live in Melbourne
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06 Mar 14, Mary Ann tatarskyj (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted one seed this year (variety unknown) but the vine is rampant. I have 4 pumpkins which seem to be going very well, but there are a lot of leaves and quite a number of flowers underneath these leaves. Should I remove some of the leaves to expose flowers to sun and bees? I'm a novice vege gardner. Thanks.
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21 Feb 14, gavin (Australia - temperate climate)
pumpkin vines gets fruit to approx 2 inches then rots & leaves turn yellow brown... have you a answer for this problem
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24 Mar 14, ally (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like the fruits aren't pollinating properly. when you get both a female and male flower open at the same time, early morning is usually best. Pick the male flower and peel back the petals to reveal the stamen with the pollen on it. find the open female flower (with the baby pumpkin at the base of the flower) and gently rub the male stamen against the female stigma inside the flower. It's like artificial insemination. The fruit should set and grow after the female flower closes and falls off the pumpkin fruit after a few days.
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18 Feb 14, Lynette Maindok (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a pumpkin growing it has flowers and small front But the are going rotten help
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17 Feb 14, dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i plant pumpkin feb
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14 Mar 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
It depends where you are- Pumkins ned a warm, long growing season- 3-4 months. In melbourne thats late spring- end of summer, up further north you need to be mindful of humidity.
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11 Mar 14, Paul Saunders (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have vine running with flowers
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Showing 561 - 570 of 833 comments
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Just found this - commercial production. For efficient pollination and fruit set, there must be: both male and female flowers and bees to move pollen from male to female flowers. A number of factors can influence pollination, Cold and overcast days limit pollination activity of bees. Hot dry conditions desiccate pollen making it unviable. Rapid growth promotes earlier flowering. However, high temperatures, long days and high rates of nitrogen can result in: vigorous vegetative growth and few flowers and a higher proportion of male to female flowers. It is important to check the sex of the flowers. A ratio of 1 female to 7 male flowers is usually considered adequate. Flowers open early in the day and for one day only, and they close by mid afternoon. These periods are shorter under high temperatures. Flowers are most receptive to pollination in the morning when bee activity is usually the highest. Bees are necessary for pollination and must be active in the crop. Flowers require at least 12 bee visits for good pollination. If bees are not plentiful, introduce at least two hives per ha after female flowers appear and male flowers start producing pollen. Spread hives around the field outside the crop, preferably so that bees have to fly over the crop to get to another food source. Destroy flowering weeds around the crop.

- Mike

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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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