Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
              S S S S  
                T T T T
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Frost tender

  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 - 47 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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12 May 20, Caroline (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi my name is Caroline and I’m not from New Zealand, but I love pumpkins! I REALLY REALLY have the urge to carve a pumpkin but unfortunately they are all out of season in America. This might sound stupid but are pumpkins on the same schedule in New Zealand bc of the difference in climate? Like would I be able to get one shipped ?
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07 Apr 20, Auther Ray (USA - Zone 7a climate)
When is the best time to plant pie pumpkins in 74883? Reply from Gardenate : First find your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone by entering your ZIP code at the USDA Plant Hardiness website then check here www.gardenate.com/zones/#zone-US
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29 Oct 19, Jany Marc (USA - Zone 11a climate)
I have the same issue... but i planted in May and apparently should have in February so trying again next year! Did you ever figure it out?
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26 Apr 19, skyler (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What time of year is it best to grow pumpkins at ?
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28 Apr 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this page https://www.gardenate.com/plant/Pumpkin
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13 Jan 19, Jonie (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Hi. We live in Zone 9. We were able to get beautiful pumpkin plants and florets, but never produced a pumpkin this year. We know they can grow bc there is a pumpkin farm nearby that produces plenty. I thought that I had only males, but then female plants appeared and still no flower. We started them in Late July, I think. Any advice?
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30 Mar 18, William Mclaughlin (USA - Zone 10b climate)
My pumpkins plants get big beautiful blooms, only to fall off. Is this bloom blithe, or a pollination problem etc.? ,
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09 May 17, Beverly (USA - Zone 7b climate)
In a large garden plot how far apart should potatoes and pumpkins be planted?
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10 May 17, John (Australia - tropical climate)
The only real consideration is to allow the pumpkins to spread if they are the 'running' type. Bush pumpkins can grow to about six feet across and you would need a bit of space to work around them. potatoes could be planted about a foot apart. The limit there is more on the available nutrients in the soil and management of the plants. Trust this helps.
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09 May 16, Meri Ford (USA - Zone 8a climate)
IT says not to plant pumpkins in the same bed as potatoes. How far from potatoes can pumpkins be planted?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 21 comments
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Japanese Pumpkins have really long runners (Vines) The male flowers always come first, then the females follow in a couple of weeks then you may have to hand pollinate them if there are not enough bees or insects. it is easy just pick a male flower and brush the pollen gently on the stigma of the female flower early in the morning, you can recognize the female flower because it has the small pumpkin under the flower. It is often suggested to cut the main long runner when about 10 feet long (3m) But here in the Lockyer valley the farmers plant acres of them & get tons of pumpkins, I am sure they don't go to that trouble, they just let them grow. A fertilizer PK of 6.6,6 is ideal as to much Phos. will grow all leaves and little or no pumpkins when the female flower isn't fertilized it will go black/brown and fall off. also if stung by fruit fly will do the same only if you break it open it will be full of fruit fly larvae. How ever when you have a pumpkin setting , you can grow it larger if you cut the vine runner off. can help protect it from fruit fly and birds by covering with straw or a larger pot with a bit of gauze in the bottom and place fruit fly traps. hope this helps. sgallan07

- sgallan07

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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