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 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
20 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I don't think you will grow much on the new growth - you can give it a try and see what happens. It is not a perennial.
Reply or Post a new comment
08 Feb 19, eden ande (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i live in Eritrea and work on national agricultural research instiution. in Eritrea pumpkins grows well in the subtropics,tropics and also semi arid places. my question is about powdery mildew, all our pumpkins gets affected by this fungus so i would like to ask if their are any cultivation practices we need to practice to avoid this fungus
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about organic or in organic sprays for it. Google. Plant in a different area each time. Go to dengarden on the net .com - go to gardening and organic ways to kill and prevent powdery mildew. A mixture of 60 water to 40 milk is quite good.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Feb 19, Haydn Battye (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I plant pumpkin seeds now? I live in Mildura VIC which is quite warm at this time of year
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Did you read the pumpkin guide here. They are the best times to plant.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jan 19, Richard (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I'm growing grey pumpkins,do they grow bigger fruit if you cut end of runners off once plant has several pumpkins on it.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Feb 19, mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Do you want a few big ones or a lot of average to good size? My cues last year - if I had cut - would have picked 18 - left to grow 49 cues.
Reply or Post a new comment
31 Jan 19, mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't cut unless limited by space.
Reply or Post a new comment
31 Jan 19, James (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes they do mate
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Jan 19, jamie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi guys i havetried growing butternut and have had white mildew distroy everything any tips on preventing this in such a humid climate? thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 191 - 200 of 679 comments
See comments for all plants

Brendan, I have seen a pumpkin vine that took over a paling fence Approx 15mts. But all the fruit grew on the neighbours side. Lucky we got to share

- wayne

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.