Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - 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
23 Jul 19, (Australia - tropical climate)
Plant April to July.
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03 Jul 19, Trevor Worth (Australia - temperate climate)
Can a Butternut Pumpkin be grown from a top only, and what would be the best method? I'd love to try it if there's a chance it may work. Thank you kindly.
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04 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
I don't see it working. Stick some skewers in it and hang it in water.
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02 Jun 19, Sue (Australia - arid climate)
Surprisingly I have pumpkin seeds growing in the shadehouse ??? Is there anyway i can encourage their growth or are they doomed
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27 Apr 19, Lindsey (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I would like to grow some pepitas or other breed of squash that has an edible seed. Can you reccomend a type and tell me where i can buy seed, cheers Lindsey
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22 Jul 19, Walter fargo (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Lindsy. Try Kings seeds, they have two types of oil seed pumpkin (that is the type you want). Austrian Oil Seed Pumpkin and Pumpkin Lady Godiva. Be careful with the water when sowing the seed, as they have no husk they can rot if the soil is too wet.
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26 Apr 19, skyler (USA - Zone 7b climate)
What time of year is it best to grow pumpkins at ?
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28 Apr 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this page https://www.gardenate.com/plant/Pumpkin
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17 Apr 19, Virginie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown my first pumpkins this year, and they hung on the vine. Amazing, 3.8kg hanging! Now, my question is: if I store them outside, will the possum eat them? Thank you in advance
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17 May 19, Vic (Australia - temperate climate)
Possums ate mine - so did the rats! So you need to store them where these sharp-toothed creatures cannot reach them.
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Showing 211 - 220 of 835 comments
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Great to hear of someone so young who wants to grow things. If this attempt fails, tell her to try next year. Plant around April/May and grow into the winter. If you have or can make a garden bed, tell her to try growing some radishes - nearly the easiest thing to grow. Go to Bunnings or a nursery and buy some punnets of lettuce or other things she likes and plant them. When starting out it is a lot easier to plant seedlings. The hard work has been done to germinate them. Also buy a little container of fertiliser (about 2kg or so) from nursery or Bunnings etc. I use a watering can (9 liters) and add a small tupperware cup of fertiliser to the water. Give it a good stir. Scale this down to say 1/2 to 3/4 of a tablespoon in 1-2 liters of water. Wait until the plants have grown to 3-4-5 inches. Little plants little fertiliser and more as they get bigger. Good luck.

- 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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