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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21 Jan 19, Mike Logan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Grow in a different area next time.
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21 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google it - organic or in-organic.
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23 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Organic or inorganic spray that is.
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15 Jan 19, Noel (Australia - temperate climate)
This year my pumpkins are quite robust, a good yield due to creating a beehive I reckon. But its very hot here in NE Victoria, the plants are struggling, despite 2 daily waterings and although the stems haven't dried off my instincts tell me to pick them before they get affected as well. Am I right or wrong?
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16 Jan 19, Graham Bower (Australia - temperate climate)
If the stems haven't dried off fruit will be immature and tasteless. They will not keep .Leave on the ground. Risk of rotting is slight and worth the risk. If you are unduly concerned you could always lift the fruit off the ground onto a piece of wood or similar. I rarely lift mine until May / June. Graham (berwick Vic)
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16 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go by the guide here of 15-20 weeks. But a good indication is the stem holding the pumpkin to the vine is woody and hard. Pick one of the oldest ones and try it - judge from that when to pick the rest.
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07 Jan 19, Wayne Cronin (Australia - temperate climate)
My butternut pumpkins are growing well but when the pumpkin gets to a good size approx 100-150mm long it goes brown and dies off. It is about 38 deg here the last week and I water twice a day (morning and late arvo) Is it the heat or too much water or needs some fertiliser???
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14 Jan 19, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Wayne, I planted my pumpkin seedlings last September and luckily it happened to be next to a lavender bush which attracts bees. It gave me 4 pumpkins which ended up growing under the lavender bush and next to the fence. I watered it a few times and then it just took care of itself. But they do tend to prefer growing under or around other plants for shade.
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08 Jan 19, Carl (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Wayne, A possibility is they are not being pollenated. Are there bees in your garden? I would suggest pollenating the flowers yourself with your fingers gently. Touch the male, then touch the female flower. Good fun. Carl
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10 Jan 19, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Usually the un-pollinated little pumpkin only grows to about 50-70mm then shrivels up and dies. I had one grow to about 6
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Showing 201 - 210 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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