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

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.
11 Mar 14, Paul Saunders (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have vine running with flowers
06 Feb 14, phil (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I'm in Perth western Aust I planted 8 pumpkins in November and they are growing beautiful but still no flowers on them can u explain the reason behind this please cheers Phil
14 Mar 14, amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hot weather can be a bit shocking for plant if you've had a bit of a heat wave. I would also suspect under nutrition. They are extremely heavy eaters- early on, they use heaps of nitrogen used for rampant leafy growth, but then need lots of K for flowering after that ( as well as a lot of other nutrients, inc N). Try giving a top dressing of manure, and liquid feeds of Seasol powerfeed. It's got a nice NPK ratio for fruit and flowering. I think in Perth it's not too late.
05 Mar 14, bruce armstrong (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Phil ..i'm in Mandurah and planted 3 butternuts in Oct and they have gone mad- now about 40 feet long.Lots of flowers and fruit growing but i thought that they would be larger by now.On hot days i water twice as they seem to suffer badly.I've asked a question if i can cur off the end of the runners to max fruit and stop it just growing nad growing.Mine are in sun about 4 hours a day..regards bruce
14 Mar 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, i think pinching the tips is one way to try to concentrate metabolic energy. With the water thing- absolutely. In Melbourne here, summer is shorter but can be brutal (I've lived in Perth too). Ours grew in a wicking bed and it was the best thing for it. 45 deg days, not one leaf drooped, all around the neighbours plants were scorching. For WA in general, wicking beds rock, also great for curcurbits which need bottom watering to help avoid fungal diseases.
23 Jan 14, Valerie (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do I have almost all male flowers and only one or two female. I only have 4 plants growing. Thanks
14 Mar 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
Males come out sooner than females. If bees are looking a bit sad, and in doubt, hand pollinate them. also make sure good nutrition.
16 Jan 14, len (Australia - tropical climate)
new pumpkins go yellow & fall off they are size of 50 cent piece is the soil lacking something
01 Mar 15, Jan (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm having the same problem. The pumpkin is growing but goes yellow and then falls off. I will try to mate them myself and see what happens.
Showing 561 - 570 of 825 comments

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

- Annie

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.