How to Grow Pumpkin at Home in Pakistan – Full Gardening Guide

🌸 Quick Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Cucurbita moschata / Cucurbita pepo

• Family: Cucurbitaceae

• Pollination: Cross-pollinated (bee-pollinated)

• Flowering Habit: Monoecious (male and female flowers on same plant)

📅 When to Plant in Pakistan

Companion Planting

✅ Good Companions:

• Corn

• Beans (Three Sisters combo)

• Marigold

• Radish

• Nasturtium (pest control)

❌ Avoid Planting Near:

• Potatoes

• Melons and Cucumbers (same pests)

• Fennel

• Tomatoes

⏱️ Growth Timeline

How-To by Growth Stage

🌱 Starting

• Sowing Method: Direct sow in grow bags or beds

• Spacing: 2–3 feet apart

• Depth: 2–3 cm

• Soil Temp: 20–30°C

• Water: Twice a day during germination

• ✅ Use ApnaUgao Potting Mix

• ✅ Use 20–30L Grow Bags

🌿 Seedling Stage

• Thin to strongest plant after germination

• Keep soil consistently moist

• Protect from heavy rain and direct wind

🌱 Vegetative Stage

• Fertilize every 2–3 weeks

• ✅ Bone Meal for flower support

• ✅ Vermicompost for soil health

• ✅ NPK 19-19-19 during fruit development

• Watering: Deep watering 2–3 times a week

• Use mulch to prevent soil from drying out

🌼 Flowering & Pollination

• Male flowers appear first

• Hand-pollinate female flowers early in the morning using a male flower for better fruit set

🎃 Harvest

• Time: 90–120 days

• Signs: Stem drying, outer skin hard, rich color

• How to Harvest: Cut stem with sharp knife, leave 2 inches of stem

• Curing: Dry for 5–7 days before storing

• Storage: Cool, dry area — lasts up to 3 months

• Propagation: Save seeds from ripe fruits for next season

Scientific Variations – Pumpkin

• Species: Cucurbita moschata (Desi Kaddu), Cucurbita pepo (Zucchini, Small Gourds)

• Popular Varieties:

  • Desi Kaddu – Large, green-skinned, soft texture

  • Sugar Pie – Small and sweet, ideal for desserts

  • Baby Boo – Small white pumpkin (ornamental)

  • Cylindrical or Long-neck Pumpkins – Used in cooking or storage

Culinary & Decorative Pumpkins

• Pumpkin Halloween (Halwa Kadu)

• Pumpkin Jack O’Lantern (Halwa Kadu)

• Pumpkin Mammoth Gold (Halwa Kadu)

• Pumpkin Rouge Vif d’Etampes (Halwa Kadu – French heirloom)

• Pumpkin Lumina (white pumpkin – Halwa Kadu)

• Pumpkin Potimarron (Halwa Kadu – nutty flavor)

• Pumpkin Muscade de Provence (deeply ribbed, sweet flesh)

• Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia (warted Italian heirloom)

• Pumpkin Butternut Rugosa (creamy, nutty flesh)

• Pumpkin Spaghetti (spaghetti-textured flesh – low carb)

• Pumpkin Small Mix Fruit (Halwa Kadu – assorted shapes)

• Pumpkin Jack Be Little (mini pumpkin – Halwa Kadu)

• Pumpkin Patisson Blanc (UFO-shaped – ornamental & edible)

• Pumpkin Llena de Nápoles Green (elongated Spanish variety)

Ornamental:

• Ornamental Miniature Pumpkins – Mixed Seeds

Classification:

Heirloom: Rouge Vif d’Etampes, Marina di Chioggia, Potimarron, Muscade de Provence

• • Desi: Desi Halwa Kaddu (included in Small Mix & Desi types)

  • Decorative: Lumina, Patisson Blanc, Ornamental Miniatures

  • Culinary: Butternut Rugosa, Spaghetti, Jack O’Lantern, Jack Be Little

BUY ALL PUMPKIN VARIETIES HERE WITH APNAUGAO

🌟 Benefits of Pumpkin

• Rich in beta-carotene, vitamin A, and antioxidants

• Boosts immunity and eye health

• Low in calories, high in fiber

• Supports digestion

• Used in both savory desi dishes and sweet recipes

🛒 Shop ApnaUgao Essentials for Pumpkin

• Grow Bags – 20L+ Sizes

• Organic Potting Mix

• Bone Meal

• Vermicompost

• NPK 19-19-19 Fertilizer