Growing pumpkins

Types

Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): all types of squash and pumpkins are highly susceptible to frost. Type notes on their sheet — not a cultivar mill. Attributed frost-tender wording — not a planting-safety promise.

Timing

Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): seeded after all danger of frost is over, and the soil temperature at a depth of 4 inches is above 60 °F. Winter squash and pumpkins can be planted either in late spring or in midsummer. Pumpkins for ornamental use should be planted in mid to late summer depending on the time needed for the variety selected. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.

Spacing

Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): squash and pumpkins are usually planted in hills. Plant two to three seeds per hill about 1 inch deep and thin to one plant per hill. Bush or short-vined varieties 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 3 to 5 feet apart. Large-vined varieties 3 to 5 feet apart in rows 6 to 8 feet apart. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Limit

South Carolina HGIC 1318. Frost-tender wording and hill spacing stay on this sheet. Not fertilizer and not a cultivar mill.

Types

Maryland Extension (Maryland): very tender warm-season annual. Frost will injure top growth; needs warm weather to grow. Maryland’s attributed hardiness wording — not a planting-safety promise. Type notes on their sheet — not a cultivar mill.

Timing

Maryland Extension (Maryland): plant after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. For transplants, sow seed indoors in 3-inch containers 3 weeks before planting time (about mid-May). A second crop can be planted between June 15 and July 1. Most pumpkins require more than 100 days to ripen. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.

Spacing

Maryland Extension (Maryland): plant 2 to 3 seeds every 3 to 4 feet apart in rows that are about 8 to 12 feet apart. Plant the seeds about ½ inch deep. Thin seedlings to a single plant. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Limit

Maryland pumpkin garden page. Mid-May transplant timing and 3–4 ft stay Maryland. Not fertilizer.

Types

UMN Extension (Minnesota): jack-o’-lantern pumpkins have stringy, bland flesh, while pie pumpkins have smaller, sweeter fruit. These plants are closely related members of the cucurbit family. Type notes on their sheet — not a cultivar mill.

Timing

UMN Extension (Minnesota): sow seed in the garden in late May to early June, or start seeds indoors in late April. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.

Spacing

UMN Extension (Minnesota): plant pumpkin and winter squash seeds three-fourths of an inch deep, 24 to 36 inches apart. Use the closer spacing if the variety is a bush type. Spacing between rows should be 5 to 6 feet. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Limit

Minnesota pumpkins-and-winter-squash sheet. Late May–early June and 24–36 in stay Minnesota. Not fertilizer.

Types

Illinois Extension (Illinois): pumpkin is a very tender vegetable. The seeds do not germinate in cold soil, and the seedlings are injured by frost. Illinois’s attributed hardiness wording — not a planting-safety promise. Type notes on their sheet — not a cultivar mill.

Timing

Illinois Extension (Illinois): do not plant until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.

Spacing

Illinois Extension (Illinois): vining pumpkins require a minimum of 50 to 100 square feet per hill. Plant seeds one inch deep (four or five seeds per hill). Allow 5 to 6 feet between hills, spaced in rows 10 to 15 feet apart. When the young plants are well-established, thin each hill to the best two or three plants. Spacing on their sheet — not a BioArva average.

Limit

Illinois pumpkin page. After-frost timing and 50–100 sq ft per hill stay Illinois. Not fertilizer.