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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
20 Apr 16, Linda (Australia - arid climate)
I would love to buy some Windsor black seeds Please contact me as my mother is wanting some Ty
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Jun 10, Shane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I just moved into a house and the weeds had over grown after clearing out the garden I found a healthy butter nut pumkin vine however I accidently ripped up the roots when clearing it out I have reburried the roots but the vine is dieing how can save it?
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If the roots were torn then it's probably a lost cause. You could try copious watering to try and save it, but it's late in the season now for pumpkins, anyway.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Jun 10, pat (Australia - temperate climate)
i grew my japs by just throwing the inside of pumpkins under some dirt. got heaps of pumpkins but not sure what to do after picking to ripen them.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Jun 10, johntone (Australia - temperate climate)
Store the pumpkins for a few months in the shade and they should be ok to use for making chutney, jam, scones,bread etc.Mine seem to last for about 8 months after being picked.Any that get some withering,make some pumpkin soup.yum - yum!
Reply or Post a new comment
23 May 10, alan wylie (Australia - temperate climate)
please advise on ripening after removing from vine jap pumpkins thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
23 May 10, Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Alan, have a look at the comments from Pete and Jef - I think they answer this for you.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 May 10, Shane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When pumpkins are ready they will have a hollow sound if you 'rap' on the outside. Just don't use "Ice T" when rapping or they'll harden. ;-)
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
when the imbilicle [ small curly vine from the top] is dead and dried up, then your pumpkin is ready. Goes for all pumpkins. Get a frost on top and you are LOL.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have dozens of self sown pumpkins, kent variety, the are getting really big, when do I know when to pick them, and also do they continue to ripen of the vine. hope someone can help.. thaks
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 591 - 600 of 684 comments
See comments for all plants

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.

- Sylvia Allan

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.