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

06 Jan 16, Jill (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Butternut pumpkins and pumpkins have started to grow. I won't know if they are not fertilized until they go mushy. Can I trim the vines and leave the best pumpkins to develop? Does it hurt to trim off leaves if a vine seems too leafy ? Jill
04 Jan 16, Katy (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm new to this gardening business - at least, I've never had much luck before. Possums or bugs have eaten everything I've tried to grow, but 2016 is my year to succeed in the garden! I would like to plant some pumpkin seeds. Am I too late to do this now? Do I need to wait until after next winter to get seedlings going, or will I still be OK to plant some in January in Sydney? TIA
05 Jan 16, Kathleen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you get them in now Katy you should have some success. I'd probably go for the butternut or the golden nuggets. Good luck.
30 Dec 15, des (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted 4 seeds, 3 have produced some small yellow pumpins,the other ,which i placed awire mesh around , hased produced 3 nice sized pumpkins.But, they are green,not yellow.Can you tell me why , and what to do? Thank you
17 Nov 15, Andy (Australia - temperate climate)
My pumpkin plant has pumpkins that are about the size of lemons. They are now starting to go a bit soft and mushy and don't look healthy. What is reason for that? Thanking you in advance
15 Jan 16, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
G'day Andy, I had the same problem mate. Dr Google says that the female is not being pollinated from the male. Apparently both male and female grow on the same vine and the bees do the pollinating. May need to plant some bee attracting flowers
18 Nov 15, Jenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Andy, Your pumpkin babies may not have been pollinated. The female flowers produce the small pumpkin but unless it is pollinated from the male flower the pumpkin does not mature. I always find if I do it myself I don't lose any small pumpkins. I just look every morning and collect the pollen from the male flowers and wipe it carefully all the way around the female flowers, including inside the little "arches". You are meant to use a little brush but I often just use part of the pumpkin leaf, the pollen collects on it very well and always comes off in the female. Hope that helps. Jenny
17 Nov 15, Sue cox (Australia - arid climate)
I am growing Queensland blue pumpkin, I was told to feed the plant with potash. You can get this from a garden shop. It worked, so far I have had lots of flowers. Still to early to have fruit yet, here's hoping.
12 Nov 15, Joseph (Australia - arid climate)
I live in Rockingham w a My b/nuts are just starting to flower. Can plant all year round July a good time to put seed in. I started late this year. regards Joe
07 Nov 15, lyn brearley (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown some butternuts from seed, big, healthy looking plants, huge leaves but no flowers, help.
Showing 381 - 390 of 679 comments

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.