Pumpkin can be grown on variety of soil types. Well drained, sandy loam or loamy soils are considered best. It is important that soil should be fertile and rich in organic matter. The best soil pH is 6 to 7.

Pumpkin can be grown in both tropical and sub-tropical climate. Pumpkin is essentially a warm season crop and cannot tolerant lower temperature below 10o C. Pumpkin is very sensitive to day and night temperature. Around 25-30oC temperature is optimum for pumpkin cultivation. If temperature goes above 36oC, there is poor production of female flower resulting in poor yield.

Mature or immature fruits are cooked as a vegetable. The fruits are rich in carotene content. The seeds after removing seed coats are used in confectionery.

The crop is grown in both the summer and rainy season. In hills, crop is sown in April-May. The recommended seed rate is 5-6 kg/ha. Spacing is maintained 2.0 m from row to row 1.0 m from plant to plant.

Pumpkin responds well to manuring and fertilizers. The dose of fertilizers depends upon the soil type and climate. About 20 q/ha of FYM should be mixed with soil or applied to the pit at least 15 to 20 days before sowing. Besides that about 100 kg N, 60 kg P and 60 kg K/ha should be applied. Half of nitrogen, entire P and K is applied in the pits at the time of sowing as basal dose. Remaining quantity of nitrogen is applied at 30 days after sowing as top dressing.

Field should be kept weed free throughout cropping season. Weeding and hoeing are important cultural practices which affect crop growth and fruit development. First weeding may be given 15 to 20 days after sowing. Two more weedings are given at 25 to 30 day interval. Weeds can also be controlled by pre emergence spray of Pendimethalin or Fluchloralin @1kg/ha one week sowing. Mulching in pumkin not only improve water retention and ground temperature in the soil but also improve soil organic matter content. The vines are allowed to trail on the ground especially in summer.

Crop is ready for harvest in about 100-120 days after sowing depending upon the variety and season. Immature tender fruits are harvested as a vegetable.