Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S S  
                  T T T
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - cool/mountain 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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10 Jun 13, Sylvia Allan (Australia - arid climate)
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.
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13 Jun 13, hz (Australia - temperate climate)
WOW Sylvia I am impressed! I have given up on pumpkin, only having a suburban back yard, lack of space, but I can drive to the country in autumn and early winter and get farmers produce - and we eat a lot, all year round ! It's a fabulous vegetable. I really, really hope your varieties can find some seed-saver people to grow them on for you Sylvia - keep us posted. Perhaps you could contact Diggers Seeds , or New Gippsland Seed Farm, (google them) and see if they are interested in helping you continue these varieties. Good luck.
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03 Jun 13, Daniel Bentley (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Do you have any whole fresh pumpkins available to ship to the United States? If not do you know where I can get some? Thank You
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27 May 13, David Trees (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Sylvia Allan, so so sorry to hear of the loss of all your produce/seeds. It must be heart breaking to be close yet so far from gaing the joy of the harvest. I am intrigued by your comment though. Excuse me if I seem to be thick, but, how can one grow more than one variety and keep the seeds pure. I really want to grow 4 to 6 different pumpkin / squash varieties but was told it could be done if saving seeds...? Did I read it right that your grow 50 different varieties on the same property...? Finally, did you source your seeds as above? Thanks in advance for your patient reply. :) David
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27 May 13, Marian (Australia - arid climate)
I planted pumpkins for the first time: we have very hot summer so I waited til the heat was over, planted seeds late Feb. Vines now looking like the cold will start to slow the ripening process. Our frosts will start soon. I am wondering if I will actually get to pick any pumpkins. Our days are warm but nights cold.
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09 May 13, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkins from seed on the south east coast of NSW
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11 May 13, Justine (Australia - temperate climate)
Its harvest time for pumpkins here Diane... you will have to wait till spring to get your pumpkin seeds growing
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11 May 13, Barb (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Diane, I'm in the Shoalhaven and I plant mine Sept/Oct. We' have a bumper crop each year. I think once the frosts have finished in your area and the days are warming a bit is fine. Cover them compost and mulch to give them a bit of warmth to start with.
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02 May 13, Joan Adams (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I tried growing pumpkin in composted soil and have 4 tiny pumpkins which stopped growing. How do I get larger fruits in future?
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24 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
They are not getting pollinated, you need to get a feather and dip it in the flowers that don't have a pumpkin on them, then gently stick the feather into the ones that do.
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Just found this - commercial production. For efficient pollination and fruit set, there must be: both male and female flowers and bees to move pollen from male to female flowers. A number of factors can influence pollination, Cold and overcast days limit pollination activity of bees. Hot dry conditions desiccate pollen making it unviable. Rapid growth promotes earlier flowering. However, high temperatures, long days and high rates of nitrogen can result in: vigorous vegetative growth and few flowers and a higher proportion of male to female flowers. It is important to check the sex of the flowers. A ratio of 1 female to 7 male flowers is usually considered adequate. Flowers open early in the day and for one day only, and they close by mid afternoon. These periods are shorter under high temperatures. Flowers are most receptive to pollination in the morning when bee activity is usually the highest. Bees are necessary for pollination and must be active in the crop. Flowers require at least 12 bee visits for good pollination. If bees are not plentiful, introduce at least two hives per ha after female flowers appear and male flowers start producing pollen. Spread hives around the field outside the crop, preferably so that bees have to fly over the crop to get to another food source. Destroy flowering weeds around the crop.

- Mike

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