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

20 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Give it a go.
09 Jan 18, Colin mcguigan (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 2 Qld blue pumpkin vines growing 1 vine has 1 pumpkin growing on it the other has none lots of flowers but all male no female does any one know what I am doing wrong...?
10 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Take some time to read the comments here from people about growing pumpkin. Take note about male and female flowers and hand pollinating.
06 Jan 18, Jeff (Australia - temperate climate)
I believe pumpkins are way smarter than us humans, in the past weeks we have experienced a significant rise is daily temp and today with 43c predicted by the bureau of mythology, my pumpkins have drooped their leaves away from the sun which I think is like us going indoors into the shade. The many shadows produced by this configuration sees my pumpkins alive to live another day. They know how to keep cool! This is one one smart vegetable me thinks! All my pumpkin have plenty of water, the ones in full sun protect themselves the most. Cheers Jeff
09 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just the way plants look after themselves in weather extremes. My pumpkins are not doing this at the moment even though we are having 30+ degrees for the last couple of weeks. They are even still growing - the vines.
04 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the same problem as w Watson with plenty of male and female flowers but no fruit setting. I've tried hand pollinating but the male flowers don't seem to have any pollen. Anyone know why or have any suggestion? Thanks
05 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have had hit and miss with hand pollinating the last two months. Then again if all female flowers hand pollinated set fruit I would have 30 or so pumpkin on 2 vines. I have come to the conclusion that you look for male flowers that are a few days old. When you pick a male flower just touch the stamen to see if there is pollen on it (yellow powdery stuff). I feel the new male flowers don't have mature pollen. Use 2-3 male flowers and give it a good gentle rub around the inside of the female flower and on the end of the pistil. I don't normally grow pumpkin but have given it a go this year. A big learning curve with no bees.
06 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks mate, appreciate your response.
01 Jan 18, Rhonda Taylor (Australia - temperate climate)
I always leave the skin of pumpkins on when cooking. I eat it along with the pumpkin, its delicious and is also where the nutrition is...especially on roasted! If you dont wish to eat the skin for whatever reason its easy to scrape the flesh off the skin when cooked.
01 Jan 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a 3x3 m patch of garden where I had potatoes. I've harvested all of these now. Would it be unwise to grow pumpkins there next?
Showing 281 - 290 of 679 comments

Great to hear of someone so young who wants to grow things. If this attempt fails, tell her to try next year. Plant around April/May and grow into the winter. If you have or can make a garden bed, tell her to try growing some radishes - nearly the easiest thing to grow. Go to Bunnings or a nursery and buy some punnets of lettuce or other things she likes and plant them. When starting out it is a lot easier to plant seedlings. The hard work has been done to germinate them. Also buy a little container of fertiliser (about 2kg or so) from nursery or Bunnings etc. I use a watering can (9 liters) and add a small tupperware cup of fertiliser to the water. Give it a good stir. Scale this down to say 1/2 to 3/4 of a tablespoon in 1-2 liters of water. Wait until the plants have grown to 3-4-5 inches. Little plants little fertiliser and more as they get bigger. Good luck.

- Mike

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