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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
17 Apr 09, Robert B (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing Queensland Blues & Jap Pumpkins here in Sydneys West for a while and would like to know the following : Male flowers are plentiful usually at the start of the vine & female flowers are not as many but as the vine lengthens more females appear, so how far do you let the vine grow. If cut does the right ratio of flowers continue shoot or that stops everything, what you have is all you get and do you plug the cut end to prevent disease getting into the vine (read that on the net) Also everyone says when the vine withers pick your crop, mine was going great and green but I picked them (stem still green & firm) as I felt they were large enough but several had started to rot inside, we saved them luckey as another couple of weeks would have lost the lot. So how do you know when to pick. heard about tapping it sound hollow its ripe, pick a piece of skin with fingernail the skin can give you an idea. Noticed in the fruit shop many pumpkins have fingernail pieces dug out ??? somebody know something !!!!! As the pumpkin is pollinated & starts to grow do you sit it on a tile or similar keeping it off the ground ( for air & warmth circulation) sometimes when left on the ground the under side looks soft and worms and bugs seem to love that position.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Apr 09, tony bray (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have plenty of Ironbark Pumpkin seed. They grow very well in Canberra. Also have "crosses' of Iron bark and Qld Blue which is afar superior pumpkin to both it's parents. Martha May give me a call on 62310508
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Apr 16, Evelyn (Australia - tropical climate)
I am looking for "Spookie" Pumpkin seeds. Can you help me please? I understand the Spookie is a smallish, hard skinned, long keeping flavoursome pumpkin, that WILL grow well in South Queensland (Gold Coast) ?? Any advice would be valued, Thank you, Evelyn
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Sep 13, Seila (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes I would like some seeds too
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Jan 13, Sue Richards (Australia - temperate climate)
To Tony, I tried your number because I would like to get some seeds of the cross between the Iron bark and Qld blue, can you let me know what your email or website is so I can order, thank you. Sue
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Mar 09, Genine (Australia - temperate climate)
Just wondering if anyone has some advice, I have some butternut pumpkins which have been growing really well, but now the leaves have started to die in the middle, am I going to loose my pumpkins which are nearly ready to pick??
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Mar 09, Martha May (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have been looking for the Ironbark Pumpkin too. I would appreciate Ray Selby pointing me to who has the seeds I would like to buy them as I don't have any seeds to swap yet as we recently moved from the tropics to Canberra and I have just made 3 large above ground beds. Not sure what pumpkins do any good here but happy to give them a try, come September?Oct. I have other pumpkins lined up to see what survives here. But would like the Ironbarks as they are a delicious pumpkin for all cooking. If you can help thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Mar 09, Ray Selby (Australia - tropical climate)
We have hundreds of Ironbark Pumpkins and sell them at the markets in Beenleigh, Brisbane...if that is any help Elle. Alternately we can organise seeds for you.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Mar 09, Elle Allardice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have been hunting for ages for the seeds of the Iron bark pumpkin, and so far have not been successful. Does anyone know where I can get them? They are a beautiful dry excellent roaster, and make great pumpkin wine! I also am growing something that lookes like a Jap, but has the shape of a butternut. They were self sown, too.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Ferolyn: I pick the male flowers first thing in the morning, peel the petals off then rub the female flowers (pumpkins, luffa, zucchini etc)
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 651 - 660 of 685 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.