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 P          

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - 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 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 - 120 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
02 Oct 19, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
It is probably so that you can choose which plant is stronger and remove the other one. Ask your mum why.
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03 Oct 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just planted pumpkin in 10 spots with 2 seeds at each spot. Only 2 spots had 2 plants germination. Sometimes it is for germination reasons. I basically had the same result from apple cucumbers.
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02 Oct 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Or transplant one of the pumpkin to another spot and grow it also. When planting 2-3 seeds close together think about planting them 100-150mm apart so that if you want to move them then you can retain a fair amount of soil around the roots when moving them, helps with transplant shock.
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02 Oct 19, Alisina Zahidi (Australia - temperate climate)
My mum said the same thing, she said we will see which plant is going to be strongest. Thank you for your help
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22 Jul 19, John Pare (Australia - tropical climate)
I lived in Papua New guinea the climate is usually wet and dry season all year. Can I grow butternut pumpkin in that kind of climate?
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23 Jul 19, (Australia - tropical climate)
Plant April to July.
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03 Jul 19, Trevor Worth (Australia - temperate climate)
Can a Butternut Pumpkin be grown from a top only, and what would be the best method? I'd love to try it if there's a chance it may work. Thank you kindly.
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04 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
I don't see it working. Stick some skewers in it and hang it in water.
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02 Jun 19, Sue (Australia - arid climate)
Surprisingly I have pumpkin seeds growing in the shadehouse ??? Is there anyway i can encourage their growth or are they doomed
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17 Apr 19, Virginie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown my first pumpkins this year, and they hung on the vine. Amazing, 3.8kg hanging! Now, my question is: if I store them outside, will the possum eat them? Thank you in advance
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Showing 161 - 170 of 679 comments
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Great to hear of someone so young who wants to grow things. If this attempt fails, tell her to try next year. Plant around April/May and grow into the winter. If you have or can make a garden bed, tell her to try growing some radishes - nearly the easiest thing to grow. Go to Bunnings or a nursery and buy some punnets of lettuce or other things she likes and plant them. When starting out it is a lot easier to plant seedlings. The hard work has been done to germinate them. Also buy a little container of fertiliser (about 2kg or so) from nursery or Bunnings etc. I use a watering can (9 liters) and add a small tupperware cup of fertiliser to the water. Give it a good stir. Scale this down to say 1/2 to 3/4 of a tablespoon in 1-2 liters of water. Wait until the plants have grown to 3-4-5 inches. Little plants little fertiliser and more as they get bigger. Good luck.

- Mike

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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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