Season

• Ash gourd can be successfully grown during January-March and September-December.
• For rainfed crop, sowing can also be started after the receipt of the first few showers during May-June.
• The optimal temperature for the growth of ash gourd is in the range of 24–27^oC. The plants are adapted to a wide range of rainfall conditions.

Soil

• It tolerates a wide range of soil but prefers a well drained sandy loam soil that is rich in organic matter.
• The optimum soil pH is 6.0–6.7, but plants tolerate alkaline soils up to pH 8.0