Your comments and tips

06 Mar 18, Kerrie (Australia - temperate climate)

When is the best time to plant Pumpkins - 70km east of Perth?

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07 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - arid climate)

You are probably temperate/Arid. have a go plant them now.

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02 Mar 18, Lynn Ollington (Australia - temperate climate)

How do stop pumpkins rotting on vine

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05 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

The female flower is there for a few days - if it is not pollinated then it will rot and fall off. If you put water into the flower it will probably rot. The flower is only open for one morning so hand pollinate it if you don't have any bees. There is a shortage of bees world wide. It might be a bug/disease and I have no idea. Have the plants out in the open and not in shade damp areas. Water low and in the late afternoon - no water into the female flower.

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09 Feb 18, bruce (Australia - temperate climate)

Butternut pumpkins...planted mid Nov'. do they change colour & sound hollow when ripe? we are a bit dubious when to harvest.

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12 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Harvesting Knowing when to harvest pumpkins is no great mystery, firstly the skin should be hard, secondly the stem leading to the vine should be hard as well, this indicates that the pumpkin is no longer taking in nutrients. And Thirdly when given a tap it should sound a little hollow. SO how long from planting to harvest 3 – 4 months. When you do harvest them make sure you leave a good amount of stem attached, this helps them last longer and prevents rot. Many growers like to leave them in the field until the first frost hits as this will knock back the vines but also toughen the pumpkin and some say make it taste sweeter and keep longer.

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31 Jan 18, Karen hoye (Australia - temperate climate)

When to plant gourd seeds in Newcastle NSW first attempts Cheers Karen

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02 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

It says it grows like pumpkin, so plant it now.

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28 Jan 18, Shelley O'Brien (Australia - arid climate)

What are the best varieties of butternuts, and pumpkins to plant in dry areas of western NSW?

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30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Go to a seed company like Boondie Seeds and read about different pumpkins. Doesn't matter what kind of pumpkin you grow it will need a fair amount of watering.

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