Pumpkin
Cucurbita spp.
Pumpkin is a sprawling warm-season squash grown for large fruit on vigorous vines that need 90–150 cm of space. Block or hill planting in full sun with generous row width keeps vines healthy, and maturing fruit benefits from dry contact with soil or a board to limit rot. Frost-tender seed is sown after the last frost window.
Plant family Cucurbitaceae · Also called field pumpkin
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Direct-sow into warm, open ground.
Direct sow about 2.5 cm deep two to four weeks after the last frost, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before frost for earlier fruit in short seasons. Germination is 4–10 days.
Tender plants cannot tolerate frost. Optional indoor start trades transplant shock risk against earlier maturity in cool climates.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Plan vine spread before seed goes in.
Allow 90–150 cm between plants and 180 cm between rows. Vining habit and large fruit demand large space classification.
Containers list 45 cm depth and about 75 litres, practical only for compact varieties. Trellising is optional but heavy fruit needs support slings.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Water steadily while fruit expands.
Eight hours of direct sun is preferred. Weak light produces vines with few female flowers and small fruit.
High water at 35–50 mm weekly with pH 6.0–7.0 during vine growth. The key tip warns to protect maturing fruit from wet soil contact.
Sunlight
Full sun preferred (8+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
High water need.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment and harvest development.
Lift fruit off wet soil when large.
The 85–120 day range begins at sowing. Cut fruit when rind is hard and stems corky; curing improves storage for types meant to keep.
One or few fruits per plant is common on large varieties. Plan pollination by growing several plants in the same area.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Allow extensive vine space and protect maturing fruit from prolonged contact with wet soil.
Pumpkin growing questions
How much vine space does pumpkin need?
Plant spacing 90–150 cm with rows about 180 cm reflects large vining habit.
Can pumpkin be started indoors?
Optional indoor start 3–4 weeks before the last frost is listed alongside direct sowing after frost.
Why keep fruit off wet soil?
The key tip recommends protecting maturing fruit from prolonged wet soil contact to limit rot.
When is pumpkin harvest timing measured from?
85–120 days from sowing with harvest basis sowing.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S1,S2,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
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