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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19 Dec 18, Gerard (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it safe to start growing butternut in January?
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27 Feb 18, Ndumie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is it true that the growing butternut must not get direct sunlight? It must be covered?
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20 Jan 18, Leon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi - my butternut plants appears to have to many flowers/baby pumpkins. Will the stalk be able to sustain a lot of them or must they be thinned out?
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08 Oct 17, Theunsina (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Goeie dag Benodig 'n paar sade vir 'n funksie... Help asb Theunsina (--------------- Good day Need some seeds for a function ... Please help)
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19 Mar 17, Pieter Mentoor (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Like to know when can i plant giant pumpkin in the western cape
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20 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Pumpkins will grow in almost any areas as long as you have at least 5 months of good weather. They can be planted after the last frost (if you get frosts) and don't like being transplanted so plant them in small pots or toilet paper cylinders in early spring in a warm spot or inside to get a head start. If you use cardboard cylinders you can plant them in the ground and let the cylinder rot.
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13 Mar 17, Gary Williamson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Try some heritage pumpkins. Seeds on bid or buy or direct from Seeds For Africa or Livingseeds. Remember as much compost as you can use. If possible plant straight into the compost heap. Watch for powdery mildew when night temperatures go down or long wet humid weather prevails. It will knock your plants down in days.
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29 Jan 17, Dominic (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where would one get seeds for different variety of pumpkins is Gauteng. And where would one sale his/her produce?
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04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I would suggest you try nurseries and garden centres for seed. I you don't have any luck try 'pumpkin seed' on the internet. Pumpkins are generally very easy to sell to hotels, etc if they are home grown and properly ripe. Many shop pumpkins are not properly ripe. Trust this helps.
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13 Jan 17, noluthando (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have grown some butternut and its already big in size im not sure if i should harvest or not.what should i look for before harvesting.the same goes for pumpkin its already size of a ball.its so hard and green on the outside
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Showing 11 - 20 of 30 comments
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I have been growing Queensland Blues & Jap Pumpkins here in Sydneys West for a while and would like to know the following : Male flowers are plentiful usually at the start of the vine & female flowers are not as many but as the vine lengthens more females appear, so how far do you let the vine grow. If cut does the right ratio of flowers continue shoot or that stops everything, what you have is all you get and do you plug the cut end to prevent disease getting into the vine (read that on the net) Also everyone says when the vine withers pick your crop, mine was going great and green but I picked them (stem still green & firm) as I felt they were large enough but several had started to rot inside, we saved them luckey as another couple of weeks would have lost the lot. So how do you know when to pick. heard about tapping it sound hollow its ripe, pick a piece of skin with fingernail the skin can give you an idea. Noticed in the fruit shop many pumpkins have fingernail pieces dug out ??? somebody know something !!!!! As the pumpkin is pollinated & starts to grow do you sit it on a tile or similar keeping it off the ground ( for air & warmth circulation) sometimes when left on the ground the under side looks soft and worms and bugs seem to love that position.

- Robert B

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