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 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

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21 Jan 13, Rache; (Australia - temperate climate)
Plants are monecious but with unisexual flowers ie. have both male & female flowers on the same plant. Generally male flowers are produced first on the vine with the female flowers coming later. A common problem that arises is too few female flowers - sometimes you just have to be patient, they'll come - or sometimes a nutrient imbalance - too much or too little.
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01 Dec 12, kevin (Australia - temperate climate)
my queensland blue pumpkin vine has a female flower that i cross polinated ,ive done this a few times with much sucess but with the first female pumpkin flower the baby pumpkin was a light green and growing ,but now its turned yellow is this normal?...kev
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11 Dec 12, Gerry (Australia - temperate climate)
Think its dead
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06 Nov 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
HI My plants are also showing alot of male flowers,i have hand pollinated my Zucchinis and they are doing well,what is the go with all the male pumpkin flowers ,can anybody help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Regards Mick
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17 Nov 12, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I find that sometimes I have a lot of male flowers and few females, and sometimes the oposite happens. I guess that is why we fertilize by hand. Jane
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29 Oct 12, Dana (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dear Adam If you spray your pumpkins or squash with milk (diluted in water anything from 1 part milk 2 parts water if you are treating to weak solution of 1 part milk 10 parts water if you are preventing) you will NOT have ANY problems with mildew. The milk works better than anything you can get commercially. Cheers Dana
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28 Oct 12, ray (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you know male from female flowers
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29 Oct 12, CJB (Australia - temperate climate)
The female has a fruit at the base of it. Also them male has 1 part inside the flower, the female has multiple receivingbits
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25 Oct 12, Adam (Australia - temperate climate)
Im just about to plant some pumpkins for teh 1st time. Read of many these comments & are quite useful. I have a great sunny spot with some shade through the day, clay soil & its an paddock that had cattle. I think im just going to scrap in this season but Im more worried about Midlew as the area I want to plant may be to wet if it rains. (I dont think it will rain much this year). Also I am interested in Iron Bark Pumpkin seeds, I wont plant this season, but would be great to trial for the next season.
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23 May 12, Louise (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. My pumpkin vine is producing plenty of flowers - but all males! What can I do to encourage some female flowers? It's May, is this the wrong time of year? The vine just popped up out of the compost. Really appreciate any assistance. Thanks for your time.
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Showing 521 - 530 of 684 comments
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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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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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