Pumpkin Seeds – (Halwa Kaddu) | SUMMER

Pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) is a warm-season vegetable belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruits, nutritious flesh and versatility in traditional cooking.

Sow seeds approximately 2–3 cm deep in fertile, well-draining soil. Provide at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight and sufficient space for the vines to spread.

Pumpkin plants produce separate male and female flowers, and successful pollination is essential for fruit development. Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during flowering and fruit formation.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Cucurbita spp.

• Common Name: Pumpkin / Kaddu

• Variety: Summer Pumpkin (specific cultivar not stated)

• Fruit Colour: Green, yellow or orange depending on variety and maturity

• Fruit Shape: Round, flattened or elongated depending on variety

• Fruit Flesh: Tender when young, becoming firmer with maturity

• Growth Habit: Vigorous spreading or climbing vine

• Vine Length: Approximately 3–6 metres or more, depending on variety

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Growing Season: Summer

• Harvesting: Approximately 80–120 days for mature pumpkins, depending on variety

• Special Features: Vigorous growth, nutritious edible fruits and suitability for kitchen gardening

Recommended Grow Bags

G-20 F Grow Bag – 20 × 16 inch – 1 compact or small-fruited pumpkin plant, with careful watering and feeding.

G-24 F Grow Bag – 24 × 18 inch – 1 plant, recommended for container cultivation of suitable pumpkin varieties.

G-28 F Grow Bag – 28 × 18 inch – 1 plant, preferred for vigorous vines requiring additional root space.

Important: Pumpkin vines require considerable growing space. Allow vines to spread across the ground or train suitable varieties on a strong trellis. Support developing fruits if grown vertically.

For large-fruited or highly vigorous varieties, open-ground cultivation is preferable.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

50% Bhalu Mitti / Garden Soil + 30% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 20% Cocopeat.

Use fertile, loose and well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Pumpkin plants are relatively heavy feeders and benefit from a nutrient-rich growing medium.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

• Method: Direct sowing recommended

• Sowing Depth: Approximately 2–3 cm

• Germination: 5–10 days under suitable conditions

• Ideal Germination Temperature: 25–30°C

• Plant Spacing: Approximately 1–1.5 metres between plants, with additional room for spreading vines

• Seeds per Spot: Sow 2 seeds and retain the strongest healthy seedling

• Transplanting: Avoid disturbing established roots

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during germination

For grow bag cultivation, sow directly in the final container whenever possible.

Sunlight & Watering

Sunlight: Full sun, preferably 6–8 hours daily.

Watering: Water deeply and regularly, particularly during vine development, flowering and fruit formation.

Avoid prolonged waterlogging and excessive wetting of leaves. During extreme summer heat, check the moisture level of grow bags frequently.

Growth & Harvesting

• First Harvest: Approximately 80–120 days for mature fruit, depending on variety and growing conditions

• Fruit Colour: Varies with cultivar and maturity

• Fruit Shape: Variety-dependent

• Growth Habit: Spreading or climbing vine

• Flower Colour: Yellow

• Pollination: Primarily by bees and other pollinating insects

• Harvesting Stage: Depending on whether tender or fully mature pumpkins are required

For tender vegetable use, harvest suitable fruits while young. For mature pumpkins, allow the fruits to develop fully and harvest when the rind has hardened and the fruit has reached its characteristic mature colour.

Feeding

Mix GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost thoroughly into the potting mix before sowing.

Apply additional vermicompost or an appropriate balanced vegetable fertilizer during active growth when necessary.

During flowering and fruiting, maintain adequate phosphorus and potassium availability while avoiding excessive nitrogen, which can encourage vigorous leafy growth with limited fruit production.

Important Summer Care

• Provide at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.

• Allow sufficient room for vines to spread.

• Maintain consistent watering during flowering and fruiting.

• Ensure excellent drainage during monsoon rains.

• Encourage bees and other pollinators.

• Hand-pollinate female flowers if natural pollination is inadequate.

• Monitor for aphids, whiteflies, fruit flies and powdery mildew.

• Avoid direct contact between developing fruits and continuously wet soil.

• Use straw or another suitable mulch beneath ground-growing fruits.

• Support heavy fruits when vines are trained vertically.

Kitchen Garden & Culinary Uses

• Traditional Pakistani Kaddu Curry

• Kaddu Bhujia

• Mixed vegetable dishes

• Pumpkin soups

• Pumpkin purée

• Roasted pumpkin dishes

• Home kitchen gardening

• Rooftop vegetable gardening

• GREEN GARDENS grow bag cultivation

Related Products

• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• GREEN GARDENS Vegetable Seeds

• Gardening with Javed Iqbal