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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16 Apr 16, Kathleen Broberg (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it ok to plant pumpkin seeds now in WA. We live in the perth hills at Lesmurdie
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28 Mar 16, Lu (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds in Perth W.A.
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23 Mar 16, PHil BEvan (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you control fungus in pumkin vines
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24 Mar 16, Alan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Phil, You can prevent fungal attack simply by watering directly to the base of the pumpkin plant & never spray watering. Its difficult because the plant spreads so I stake lengths of 25mm poly at planting so I don't have to walk through the plants & simply use a funnel in the end of the poly to deliver water morning & night. A weekly dose of seaweed extract is given the same way. At the end of the season when the plants are mature you can spray a little copper but I generally remove the pumpkins, eat the tips & compost the rest. Hope this helps, Al.
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04 Mar 16, Toni (Australia - temperate climate)
Phil Ware sub tropical small pumpkins forming then dropping off. I hand pollinated all new pumpkins. Only one grew large. For space reasons (small garden) I cut the pumpkin from the vine and kept a length of vine attached. When might cut up and cook soup etc?
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28 Feb 16, Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi David, It's too late to plant from seed, they will grow to a point but won't mature into full grown pumpkins...plant pumkin seed in nov-dec..., Cheers, Linda
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28 Feb 16, Phill ware (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A lot of flowers , pumpkins forming then die off. Only getting a couple to eat.
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05 Mar 16, Bill Hughes (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I "hand pollinate"?
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03 Mar 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Pollination is not happening. Try hand pollination
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24 Feb 16, Christine Horsfall (Australia - temperate climate)
It is mid February. Is it too late to plant pumpkin seeds? Thank you. Christine
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Showing 361 - 370 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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