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Cucurbits

Pumpkin growing guide

Large spreading vine producing nutritious fruit that stores for months. The three sisters companion planting (corn, beans, pumpkin) has been used for centuries.

Photo reference

Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.

Pumpkin real-world photo reference (Cucurbita maxima)
Wikimedia Commons · CDest at en.wikipedia · Public domain
7-14 daysGermination
90-120 daysHarvest
120 cmSpacing
2 cmSow depth
FullSun
TenderFrost
2.5 cm/weekWater
6-6.8pH

Planting calendar by climate

Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.

ClimateSowTransplant / PlantHarvest
TropicalJan - DecJan - DecJan - Dec
SubtropicalAug - NovAug - NovNov - Mar
MediterraneanSep - NovSep - NovDec - Mar
TemperateSep - OctOct - NovJan - Apr
CoolOctNov - DecFeb - Apr
AridAug - OctAug - OctNov - Feb

Botanical reference

Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Pumpkin should look like as it grows.

Pumpkin whole plant

Whole plant

Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.

Pumpkin leaf detail

Leaf detail

Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.

Pumpkin flower detail

Flower detail

Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.

Pumpkin harvest / detail

Harvest / detail

Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.

Cooking and eating ideas

A quick garden-to-table guide for using Pumpkin after harvest.

Raw / fresh

Use cucumbers and tender young fruit raw in salads, pickles, snacks, and cold dishes where suitable.

Cooked

Grill, roast, saute, stuff, bake into fritters, simmer into curries, or cook mature squash and pumpkin.

Store / preserve

Pickle cucumbers, freeze cooked squash, cure storage pumpkins, or make relish and chutney.

Try: Pickles, Grilled slices, Pumpkin soup, Zucchini fritters.

Good companions

Corn, Beans, Nasturtium, Marigold

Avoid near

Potato

Growing note

Cure harvested pumpkins in the sun for 10 days to harden the skin for storage.

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