Sow pumpkin seed directly into the garden after the soil has warmed sufficiently - this normally occurs from very late May through June. Make 4 separate 2.5 cm (1") deep holes per hill and plant two seed in each hole - space hills about 2 m (6') apart. Remove the smaller seedling from each pair after germination. Seed can also be started indoors 3 weeks early. Use soil-less growing mix and plantable peat or paper fibre containers as pumpkins do not like to have their roots disturbed when transplanting. Feed plants regularly with compost and dilute soluble fertilizer and keep the ground evenly watered for best growth. For the biggest pumpkins, allow only one or two to form on a single vine - remove any others that start to form on the same vine after that.
Blooming Season Begins: High Summer
Life Cycle: Annual
Propagation: Start Indoors or Sow Direct Late Spring
Days to Emergence: 5-8 days in warm soils. Cold slow will slow or even prevent germination.
Light: Full Sun
Growth Habit: Vining
Height: Medium (30 to 60 cm)(12" to 24")
Frost Tolerance: Killed by Frost
Days to Harvest: Depending on growing season, up 120 days.
Degree of Difficulty: Prior Experience Beneficial
Heritage: Open Pollinated
Family Name: Cucurbitaceae
Latin: Cucurbita pepo
Blooming Season Begins: High Summer
Life Cycle: Annual
Propagation: Start Indoors or Sow Direct Late Spring
Days to Emergence: 5-8 days in warm soils. Cold slow will slow or even prevent germination.
Light: Full Sun
Growth Habit: Vining
Height: Medium (30 to 60 cm)(12" to 24")
Frost Tolerance: Killed by Frost
Days to Harvest: Depending on growing season, up 120 days.
Degree of Difficulty: Prior Experience Beneficial
Heritage: Open Pollinated
Family Name: Cucurbitaceae
Latin: Cucurbita pepo