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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24 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Put bricks or the like underneath them to get them off the ground, but don't pick them until the stalks turn brown, this is the sign they are ready. If the stalks are green they are still getting nutrient from the plant
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08 Apr 13, June (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted potkin & Qld Blue pumpkins. They all keep going yellow and dying when they first form. Does anybody know why this keeps happening please.
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06 Apr 13, Des Harrison (Australia - temperate climate)
My vines develop small green pumpkins and after a week they turn yellow and fall off the stem. What is the problem?
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22 May 22, Kristene (Australia - tropical climate)
They sound like they haven’t been pollinated.
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07 Apr 13, Narelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've had the same problem this year so would be interested to hear from others!
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04 May 13, Brendan (Australia - tropical climate)
Lacking calcium. Soil pH is probably too low, feed it some Dolomite around the root zone. If the soil pH is ok, use Gypsum instead.
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27 Mar 13, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
PLease can you tell me why our pumpkin vines had know flowers consequently no fruit. suspect the soil not rich enough for them.
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20 Apr 13, S Young (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some pumpkins have male and female flowers...too much of one or the other or no pollination can cause flowers to die and no fruit. I also found with some of mine that a few really hot days and direct sun in the afternoon (west) that they cannot cope.
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29 Mar 13, Forest Hill (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Anne - how long is the vine? Sometimes pumpkins put all their energy into growing and not into flowers. Try nipping off the terminal buds (ends) of each vine so they stop growing and they will put out flowers, although I suspect its too late in the season to do that now. the other thing to do it hceck if you have too much nitrogen (manure), which generates leafy growth. Try spreading some potassium (banana skins) around the base.
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25 Mar 13, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Windsor Black Pumpkin . Sylvia Allen did you have any luck with the Windsor Black Pumpkin for I want some seeds . This is a heritage pumpkin and was the Pumpkin emblem of Victoria . Herronswood ( Diggers also want this pumpkin seed . Did Karen have any success Laurie
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Showing 621 - 630 of 837 comments
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Most veggies are grown as an annual. To have one 12mths old is a bit unusual. The vine would be very long now before the flowers appear, maybe the plant can't sustain that. Pumpkin zucchini and probably watermelons and rock melons etc When they flower they start with male flowers to start attracting the bees, then produce female flowers. The female flower is only open for one day generally and will be shut by lunch time. So it needs a few visits from bees in that 2-4 hrs to fertilise the female flower. Or needs hand pollination on that day. I live at Bundy and I grew pumpkin through last summer and it was 3-4 degrees hotter last summer than this year so far. I think you just have an old plant that has had it's day. After you pick this years crop think about planting next year in the spring, your vines will be well establish going into summer. It will also allow you to refresh the soil with compost, manures fertiliser etc.

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