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
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - arid 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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03 Nov 15, larretta (Australia - temperate climate)
what is them seedling time for Pumpkin Sweet Grama?
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01 Nov 15, Barry J Hewitrt (Australia - temperate climate)
Last year 2014 I planted some Queensland blue Pumpkins at the end of the harvest I picked 22 pumpkins, but much to my dismay a lot of them were very woody why would this be can any one give me an answer as they weren't very good for pumpkin soup. Cheers Bazza
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15 Nov 15, Ricki (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Barry, as I understand it pumpkins can be woody if they've been cross-pollinated with other types of pumpkins. Do you have others planted nearby? Perhaps a neighbour does? Hope this helps, cheers, Ricki.
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19 Sep 15, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Jane Did you have any luck with Windsor Black Pumpkin seeds . Are they still on ebay Laurie
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19 Sep 15, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Syvia Allen Did you ever find any Windsor Black Pumpkin seeds . I have tried everywhere . Laurie Mount Waverley
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02 Sep 15, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
l live in Calista WA just south of Perth. Is October the best time to sow Butternut Pumpkin seeds for best results?
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09 Aug 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
the first lot of female flowers need to be pollinated.. then the fruit grows in the next flower lot
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13 Jul 15, Colin Turner (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to know every thing I need to know to grow Jap Nut Pumpkins,
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07 Jun 15, kierian (Australia - temperate climate)
Any tips on growing, looking after and getting turks turban pumpkins to pollenate? Any tips or help very much appreciated.
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19 May 15, Dave (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have just purchased some Mc Leay mongrel seeds but I am having issues finding information online regarding the species. Is anyone able to assist? Does it come under a different name?
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Showing 401 - 410 of 688 comments
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Geraldine, each pumpkin plant should produce both male and female flowers. The earliest flowers that emerge will be male and all up there will be more of them produced in total than female. You may or may not have to encourage pollination. If you have bees hanging around they'll do it for you. Consider making your vegie patch more enticing to bees by companion planting some bright flowers (like calendula, nasturtiums, french marigolds, sunflowers, etc) to attract them. Anyway, the way to tell the difference between male and female flowers (in case you didn't already know) is that female flowers will generally have a bulbous base near the stalk, below the flower. Also, since they take up a lot of room, have you considered training the pumpkin vine along a fence or up the side of a garden shed? A workmate of mine had them fruiting up on his shed roof last summer.

- Jaci

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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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