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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 May 15, john Ardross WA (Australia - arid climate)
I grew Jap/ Kent pumpkins on neighbours empty block from Aug 14 till Now May18. Used wick feeding on some for a marginally better growth rate. Plantings were 5 no plants to a volcano shaped ditch which had raw kitchen waste and paper dug deep - 450mm. Used really weak liquid manure e.g. work liquor 1 to about 400 applied every third day as the watering. Encouraged bees with some colour plants lobellia etc. Fantastic result some 30 plus very large pumpkins approx 5kg plus. Recommend this method if you have room else grow in trees and spt with panty hose. John
Reply or Post a new comment
04 May 15, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
ref: April 4. Cut off one of 8 pumpkins and made soup. They are definitely ready. My freezer is full of soup for the winter. Thank you all who answered my email. Appreciated.
Reply or Post a new comment
04 May 15, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
They need hand pollination. Had same problem at the beginning but ended up with 8 after manually fertilizing them. Bit late now but keep in mind next time.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Apr 15, keith (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Wazza,, I've had simular results with My pumpkin , but just be a bit more patient and I'm sure the Male Flower's will soon appear,, I know it's frustrating waiting but it will happen soon.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Apr 15, wozza (Australia - tropical climate)
I have pumpkin vines that are healthy but NO female flowers .So as a result I have NO pumpkins forming .????? is that people .Cheers .
Reply or Post a new comment
18 May 15, JohnTheAussie (Australia - tropical climate)
Ive learnt that the first time my butternut pumpkins bloom, they bloom only female flowers, but the bext time they produce both. Not sure why, but many in my area say the same thing. I actually stopped at a large farm growing them to ask, why mone wouldnt produce fruit after flowering, and they told me it wouldnt the first time. However hand polination was needed the first time, after that the bees and insects did it all for me.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Jun 15, Gail (Australia - temperate climate)
So can I leave my pumpkin plant in for the next season? I was going to pull it out!! I had some really good golden nugget pumpkins
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Apr 15, Erin oneill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkin an butternut seeds (Check under plant names for your zone - Liz)
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Mar 15, Merrill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have large pumpkin vine which produces green pumpkins about tennis ball size, but then they all turn dark brown and shrivel up and fall off. What can I do?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 401 - 410 of 679 comments
See comments for all plants

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.