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 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
17 May 19, Vic (Australia - temperate climate)
Possums ate mine - so did the rats! So you need to store them where these sharp-toothed creatures cannot reach them.
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16 Apr 19, Lynette (Australia - temperate climate)
I have pumpkins coming up now from garden compost. Is it too late to let them grow?
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22 Apr 19, Robyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Depends what climate zone you live in, what type they are and if you have cold conditions and frost. They probably germinated due to the warmth of the compost so if they are in a warm sheltered position you could let them grow and see if they reach maturity. Then you will be able to keep the seeds as they will be acclimatised to local conditions and should always grow better than seeds introduced from elsewhere. All depends on if you have the room to experiment.
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13 Apr 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
Vine shows no signss of dying off 12 April but only 1 big pumpkin and some small ones.Melbourne.Will they grow now or is it too cold
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06 Apr 19, Diahann Jackson (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 19 butternut pumpkins on my vine and it is starting to die off, how long should I continue to feed the plant for and is it best to wait till the plant has completely dead before harvesting the pumpkins?
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16 Mar 19, Margaret Reynolds (Australia - temperate climate)
I live on the NSW South Coast in Australia and my butternut pumpkin gets pumpkins up to about 4 inches then they go yellow , die and fall off. Should I pull them out and try again next year.
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17 Mar 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do some research on the internet butternut pumpkin turning yellow and falling off. Many reasons why it is happening.
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15 Mar 19, LESLEY MCCUBBIN (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to grow Queensland Blue pumpkins. They are next to a lavendar bush and well polinated. Lots of baby pumpkins, but they do not grow very big before they go yellow and die. Some of the leaves have gone brown, so I have removed them. Any thoughts on how I can remedy the situation.
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17 Mar 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
You have lavender but do you have bees? Do some research about the subject - going yellow and falling off. In temperate climate I would start my pumpkins in Sept Oct and grow into the summer. Prepare - manure/compost/fertiliser the soil for a few weeks before planting and plant in a different position each year.
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18 Mar 19, LESLEY MCCUBBIN (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks. I do have lots of bees. The grandchildren love to watch them in the pumpkin flowers..so no problem there. I planted them in Oct. and manured, composted and fertilized the soil, but at time of planting,not 2 weeks before. Does this make a difference? Thanks for the tip, I will do some more research.
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Showing 171 - 180 of 679 comments
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Hi Dawn, Unfortunately April is not the right time to grow pumpkins in Victoria as we are heading into winter. Pumpkins require a fairly long growing period of 4-6 months (depending on the variety) of warm weather and are they are very frost sensitive, so will die once winter hits. If you are keen to grow something now, cabbages, broccoli, Asian greens, lettuces, radishes and carrots are pretty good bets. If you have your heart set on growing pumpkin, best to wait till October/November for sowing/planting for best results. Cheers & happy gardening.

- Mel

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