GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Pumpkin

Cucurbita maxima · Shrub

Hardiness
H2 Tender (to 5 to 1°C)
Position
Full sun
Height × Spread
10–50 cm × 2.5–4 m
Soil
Rich, fertile, well drained soil. Moist but well-drained. pH Acid, Neutral.
Flowering
June–August
Toxicity
If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

The Gardening Year

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F
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🌱 Sow
🪴 Plant out
🌸 In flower

Watch out for

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage when watering, and apply a copper-based fungicide or biological control if severe.

Slugs and snails: Use physical barriers like copper tape or crushed eggshells, and set out beer traps or iron phosphate baits at night.

Grey mould (Botrytis): Ensure good ventilation, remove affected plant parts immediately, and avoid overcrowding to reduce humidity.

Poor fruit set: Hand-pollinate female flowers using a male flower or cotton bud, especially during cool, wet weather or low pollinator activity.

Vine weevil: Apply nematode-based biological controls to the soil in autumn and spring, or use insecticidal drenches.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/pumpkin © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia