Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

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

19 May 15, Dave (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have just purchased some Mc Leay mongrel seeds but I am having issues finding information online regarding the species. Is anyone able to assist? Does it come under a different name?
17 May 15, john Ardross WA (Australia - arid climate)
I grew Jap/ Kent pumpkins on neighbours empty block from Aug 14 till Now May18. Used wick feeding on some for a marginally better growth rate. Plantings were 5 no plants to a volcano shaped ditch which had raw kitchen waste and paper dug deep - 450mm. Used really weak liquid manure e.g. work liquor 1 to about 400 applied every third day as the watering. Encouraged bees with some colour plants lobellia etc. Fantastic result some 30 plus very large pumpkins approx 5kg plus. Recommend this method if you have room else grow in trees and spt with panty hose. John
04 May 15, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
ref: April 4. Cut off one of 8 pumpkins and made soup. They are definitely ready. My freezer is full of soup for the winter. Thank you all who answered my email. Appreciated.
04 May 15, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
They need hand pollination. Had same problem at the beginning but ended up with 8 after manually fertilizing them. Bit late now but keep in mind next time.
20 Apr 15, keith (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Wazza,, I've had simular results with My pumpkin , but just be a bit more patient and I'm sure the Male Flower's will soon appear,, I know it's frustrating waiting but it will happen soon.
17 Apr 15, wozza (Australia - tropical climate)
I have pumpkin vines that are healthy but NO female flowers .So as a result I have NO pumpkins forming .????? is that people .Cheers .
18 May 15, JohnTheAussie (Australia - tropical climate)
Ive learnt that the first time my butternut pumpkins bloom, they bloom only female flowers, but the bext time they produce both. Not sure why, but many in my area say the same thing. I actually stopped at a large farm growing them to ask, why mone wouldnt produce fruit after flowering, and they told me it wouldnt the first time. However hand polination was needed the first time, after that the bees and insects did it all for me.
17 Jun 15, Gail (Australia - temperate climate)
So can I leave my pumpkin plant in for the next season? I was going to pull it out!! I had some really good golden nugget pumpkins
11 Apr 15, Erin oneill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkin an butternut seeds (Check under plant names for your zone - Liz)
29 Mar 15, Merrill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have large pumpkin vine which produces green pumpkins about tennis ball size, but then they all turn dark brown and shrivel up and fall off. What can I do?
Showing 401 - 410 of 679 comments

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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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