How to grow a Giant Pumpkin
Sow the seeds: Start seeds indoors in small pots. Make sure the pointed end of the seed is
face down with only one seed planted in each pot. Place in a warm sunny spot.
Move outside (Transplant seedlings): You will need to move the seeds outside either when
the leaves appear or when the roots begin to grow through the peat pots (normally 7 to 10
days)
The soil needs to be of good quality so use lots of manure. The pH needs to be between 6.5
- 6.8. pH is simply a measure of how acid or alkaline a substance is, and soil acidity or
alkalinity (soil pH) is important because it influences how easily plants can take up nutrients
from the soil. Add sulphur to lower the pH and lime to raise it.
Tip: As a general rule the area should be well drained, spacious and sunny but in a wind
protected area.
Watering: Do not over-water; too much water will rot the pumpkin. Keep it damp not
drenched!
Flower Pollination: Bees will pollinate the plants for you, but if you want to get a head start
you can hand pollinate which can have the ability to help your pumpkin gain 25 - 30 pounds
a days.
Hand Pollination: Two months after planting your seed you should see female flowers
beginning to appear. The females will have a tiny pumpkin at their base. Choose a male
flower (one without the tiny pumpkin), pick it and remove the flower petals from the
outside of it. Use the male to gently swab the female to begin the process.
Growing: It will take 70 to 90 days before any fruit appears. You could get several pumpkins
on one bush. It is recommended that 1 to 3
fruits be left on any one bush and only 1 fruit on
any main vine. The more fruit on a vine the
more competition there is for food. With only
one fruit the idea is that the plant will
concentrate all its efforts on feeding this one
fruit. Pick the best shaped Pumpkins and
remove the rest.
Tip: Pumpkins that are tall and round tend to
grow the best.
Adelaide Farmers’ Market | PO Box 38, Goodwood SA 5034 | P: 08 8231 8155 | F: 08 8231 8518 |
www.adelaidefarmersmarket.com.au
Adjust the pumpkins position: The pumpkins position on the vine is important, try to keep
the stem of the pumpkin at a 90 degrees angle to the vine by gently coaxing to this angle. Be
careful as the stems are very fragile at this stage
Sunshine: Pumpkin leaves need lots of sunshine but pumpkin themselves do not. Too much
sunlight on the pumpkin will harden its skin and limit the pumpkins growth. To protect the
fruit you can use a shade cloth.
Vine Pruning: Prune each vine when they grow to around 10 - 12 feet. To prevent water
loss, bury the ends of the cut vines
Fertilization: A 20-20-20 balanced fertilizer formula is ideal for your pumpkins to maintain
healthy growth. Never over-fertilize as pumpkins have and will explode from too rapid
growth.
Tip: The best method to grow a pumpkin is slow and steady.
Maturity: It takes 70 to 90 days before any fruit will appear on the vine and a further 60
days before the fruit is matured. A pumpkin is mature when the skin hardens and falls off,
sometimes the colour fades. A giant pumpkin will only last for about 2 months once it is cut
from the vine. So try not to cut the pumpkin from the vine until it's near competition time.
Adelaide Farmers’ Market | PO Box 38, Goodwood SA 5034 | P: 08 8231 8155 | F: 08 8231 8518 |
www.adelaidefarmersmarket.com.au