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

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28 Feb 19, John Saunders (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you for advising people that the pumpkin should be left until the vine dies / drys! It is impossible to by a "real" pumpkin from a shop these days because they are all cut off the vine early. The producers / sellers have even gone to the extent of cutting the stalk remains off so the subterfuge is not apparent. I love a good pumpkin. Where do I get one? Not locally.
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03 Mar 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I see pumpkin grown around here and they are left to die off before picking. A pumpkin left to mature will keep for a long time - immature they will not last long. In commercial crops if you left the stalk on when picking it would probably scratch other pumpkins in transport and then ruin them.
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21 Feb 19, Kate Mundy (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted JAP pumpkin seedlings about 3 months ago, (coastal Victoria) I have never had a flower but the plants are doing well enough, should I pull them out, or is it possible they will still product fruit?
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22 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
May have planted too late - try planting earlier next time.
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19 Feb 19, John Kelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've grown pumpkins which have fruited nicely ,havent harvested all of them,the vines are slowly dying back but now the plants are re shooting quite nicely ,will they produce fruit ?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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07 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Did you read the pumpkin guide here. They are the best times to plant.
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Every year I plant pumpkin seeds with no success. But late in the season self planted seeds grow and I’m lucky to get one pumpkin before the frosts come. What am I doing wrong..

- Megan

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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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