How to grow pumpkins

Pumpkins are easy and fun to grow – just give them a warm sunny site, plenty of water, and shelter from cold winds. By autumn, you’ll have vibrant pumpkins to carve into Halloween decorations – a great activity to do with kids – or a crop to store for use in winter. Pumpkins are a type of winter squash, traditionally with large, rounded, orange fruits.

Sow pumpkin seeds in spring and you’ll have home-grown Halloween lanterns by autumn 

Pumpkins are a stand-out choice among their fellow cucurbits for their vibrant orange colour and often giant size

Some varieties are vigorous trailing plants that spread for several metres or can be grown up supports. There are also bush types, which stay comparatively compact, although still take up at least one square metre. Smaller varieties can potentially be grown in large containers, but most fare best in the ground. So choose varieties that suit the amount of growing space you have available. Pumpkins of various kinds are usually grown in the veg areas of RHS gardens, so do visit to compare varieties and pick up growing tips. For more on choosing pumpkin varieties, see our guide below.

When planting, give pumpkins plenty of space, as most will form large, vigorous, trailing plants

It’s worth taking the time to prepare the ground well, ahead of sowing or planting outdoors, to ensure your pumpkins thrive. Make a hole about 30cm (1ft) wide and deep, then fill with a mix of soil and organic matter, such as home-made compost. Alternatively, if you're practicing no-dig, mulch the surface and sow or plant directly into the mulch.  If you’re aiming to grow giant pumpkins, you could apply an organic-based, general-purpose fertiliser. Space the individual sowing/planting sites at least 90cm (3ft) apart for bush plants and 1.5m (5ft) for trailing plants.

You can also plant compact varieties in growing bags or large containers filled with peat-free multi-purpose or soil-based compost.

You can plant indoor-sown or newly bought plants outside after the last frost. But first, harden them off to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions. Plant the young squash plants into prepared ground (see above), taking care not to disturb the roots. Firm them in gently and water well. Space bush varieties 90cm (3ft) apart and trailing varieties 1.5m (5ft) apart. Protect from slugs and snails, especially in damp weather.

You can also plant very compact bush varieties in growing bags or large containers in a sunny, open spot. Plant one or two per growing bag or one in a container at least 45cm (18in) wide, filled with peat-free multi-purpose or soil-based compost. Make sure there is plenty of space around the container to ensure good air circulation and allow plants to spread. Overcrowded conditions can encourage fungal diseases.

If you have plenty of space, pumpkin plants can be left to sprawl over the ground, but if you need to limit their spread, you can train the stems around in a large circle, inserting short canes to hold them in place. You can also simply cut off any stems that stray beyond their bounds.

Trailing types can also be trained up sturdy supports, such as an arch, large wigwam or strong trellis, particularly those with smaller fruits. Just make sure the supports are big and robust enough to carry these vigorous plants and their fruits. You may need to use netting to support the fruits individually. Larger-fruited varieties are best grown flat on the ground.

Pumpkins can be used straight away or stored for use in winter. Let the pumpkins mature and colour up on the plant before harvesting in autumn. Keep them on the plant for as long as possible, but harvest before the first frost, or protect the fruits using straw, fleece or cardboard, as frosted pumpkins can’t be stored.

Cut the pumpkins from the plant with at least 10cm (4in) of stem still attached. If you cut too close to the fruit, it leaves a soft area on the fruit that is prone to rotting. 

Prepare pumpkins for storing by laying them out in the sun for a week to 10 days, either outdoors or in a greenhouse or coldframe, to harden (or cure) the skins. This helps to ensure they keep well.

Allow pumpkin skins to harden in the sun before storing in an airy, frost-free location

Store your fully ripened pumpkins in a well-ventilated place at 10–15°C (50–60°F), making sure the fruits don’t touch. Depending on the variety, pumpkins should keep for at least three months, and up to six in ideal conditions. Check them regularly for signs of deterioration or rot.

Pumpkins are tender, so must be protected from frost and cold. They can also be affected by several diseases, and young plants and flowers may be damaged by slugs and snails. See Common problems below, to find out how to tackle these issues.