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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17 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Most common is the Jarrahdale pumpkin - plant Sept to Dec and don't pick until vine starts dying - about 18-20 weeks from planting. Good fertile soil, lots of sun and plenty of water.
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28 Aug 18, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in maryborough Vic and would like to know when we should plant pumpkins. And do we need to have any other plants around for the bees to come
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30 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You found pumpkin and set your climate to temperate - check the monthly calendar planting/sowing guide. The big green capital P means when to plant. Try to notice if you have bees in your yard, if not look up on the internet - bee attracting flowers and plant some.
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25 Jul 18, LynnStinten (Australia - tropical climate)
I am just south of Townsville and planted Qld Blue pumpkin seeds in early April in good soil with correct PH levels. Plenty of space to run and good sunshine and watered daily. The plants grew well for about 6 weeks producing masses of mostly male flowers?? I had plenty of bees doing their job, but still only got two pumpkins that didn't reach maturity before the plants died off about 2-3 weeks ago. We did have a couple of 6deg nights but nothing lower. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Cheers
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29 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Temps are read 1 m above the ground. Temps can vary quite a bit in a district. I would say the plants had frost on them. Male flowers come first (to attract the bees I believe) then you will have male and female. Try again now.
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27 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Lyn - the first sentence in the notes - frost tender. 6 degree nights - offical temp is taken 1 meter above the ground. So ground level may have been frost. It says to plant April to July -I'd be inclined to plant July and plant out late August after frosts. Pumpkin usually have male flowers first (to start attacting bees I believe) and then the female and male after that.
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30 Jun 18, Luke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Should I plant/treat winter squash such as Red Kuri the same as pumpkins?
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02 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check a website called southern harvest for planting times.
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29 Jun 18, Anne Jeffrey (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you please advise me on where to search for Windsor Black seeds, I've been searching for what seems like ever and had no success, I'm trying to revive this pumpkin for my mother who's in her 70s Thank you
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02 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
Try thelostseed.c.a - they have them but are out of stock at the moment. Ring or send an email as they may have some packets left.
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Showing 221 - 230 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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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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