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

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18 May 23, tyler (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can you grow Kent in winter or does it die off ?
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19 May 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the planting guide again.
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06 Apr 23, Kat (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow Kent pumpkin in autumn winter in Coffs Harbour area ?
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19 Apr 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Spring summer.
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12 Feb 23, Ty Buchanan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
To pollinate snap off a yellow protuberance from the male. Gently push the protuberance into the middle of the yellow female, right into the center, and leave it there. That's it!
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07 Feb 23, Lynette Baldwin (Australia - tropical climate)
Came home from holidays in January and there is a pumpkin growing in my garden it’s getting big will it grow in these months or not . I think my grandson planted it he’s only seven .
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13 Feb 23, (Australia - tropical climate)
Let it grow and see what happens - keep it well watered in the hot weather.
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29 Dec 22, Xander (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do l tell the difference between male and female flower
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29 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Have a look at the thing growing inside the flower. Does it look like a male thing or a female thing? I think this will answer your question.
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04 Jan 23, Gabriella (Australia - temperate climate)
Female flowers have a tiny pumpkin at the base of the flower, males just have stem.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 684 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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