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 68°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 - 47 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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
28 Feb 16, Phill ware (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A lot of flowers , pumpkins forming then die off. Only getting a couple to eat.
05 Mar 16, Bill Hughes (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I "hand pollinate"?
03 Mar 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Pollination is not happening. Try hand pollination
24 Feb 16, Christine Horsfall (Australia - temperate climate)
It is mid February. Is it too late to plant pumpkin seeds? Thank you. Christine
23 Feb 16, Mick O'neill (Australia - arid climate)
When is the right time to pick my Jap pumpkins?
22 Feb 16, David (Australia - temperate climate)
It is the 22nd February Can I grow start my pumpkin from seed now or is it to late
13 Mar 16, Elizabeth (Australia - temperate climate)
To late I planted mine late November. I have quite a few pumpkins on mine.
13 Feb 16, Val (Australia - temperate climate)
how can I tell when my jarradale pumpkins are ready to harvest?
30 Jan 16, Helen (Australia - temperate climate)
My Kent or Jap pumpkin is rampaging thru my garden but hasn't formed any flowers yet can you please tell me when that is likely to happen. Thankyou.ps they were planted early Nov.
Showing 371 - 380 of 684 comments

No I haven't been able to get any more Windsor Black seeds I only had a couple of seeds that were given to me, I planted them on the side of a very small hill in Heavy soil they grew and branched every where were getting male flowers And the female flowers were forming, but 10 days of solid rain the patch was absolutely saturated the rest of our property was flooded I thought they would be alright but thr female buds went yellow & dropped off. I prayed & begged for the vines not to die but 90% did.I was shattered. one vine in the row above it The McLeay Mongrel survived Another Victorian Pumpkin, was so sick I just forgot it, went down the Hill the other day the grass was 2 & 1/2 feet high and I trod on something in the grass and nearly fell over looked and found one McLeay Mongrel Pumpkin I have collected the seed from what has to be the weirdest Pumpkin ever, But probably the nicest eating Pumpkin ever, I would say it is probably the rarest as well. The McLeay Mongrel Is a very dry pumpkin with superb flavor much like Iron Bark sweeter & nuttier, I have looked at it it is more than likely a Triamble Iron Bark cross Maybe some Qld. Blue. I am offering 4 seeds up for Auction on eBay I do not have many seeds, so thought if I put a good reserve in them only the very serious growers would buy them. Be Warned it is not a pretty pumpkin but needs some serious pumpkin growers to keep it from extinction, it is a heavy solid pumpkin, looks like an Alien lava Rock. visit eBay Pumpkins just to see it. Regards. Sylvia.

- Sylvia Allan

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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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