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

03 Oct 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just planted pumpkin in 10 spots with 2 seeds at each spot. Only 2 spots had 2 plants germination. Sometimes it is for germination reasons. I basically had the same result from apple cucumbers.
02 Oct 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Or transplant one of the pumpkin to another spot and grow it also. When planting 2-3 seeds close together think about planting them 100-150mm apart so that if you want to move them then you can retain a fair amount of soil around the roots when moving them, helps with transplant shock.
02 Oct 19, Alisina Zahidi (Australia - temperate climate)
My mum said the same thing, she said we will see which plant is going to be strongest. Thank you for your help
22 Jul 19, John Pare (Australia - tropical climate)
I lived in Papua New guinea the climate is usually wet and dry season all year. Can I grow butternut pumpkin in that kind of climate?
23 Jul 19, (Australia - tropical climate)
Plant April to July.
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.
04 Jul 19, (Australia - temperate climate)
I don't see it working. Stick some skewers in it and hang it in water.
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
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
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.
Showing 171 - 180 of 688 comments

I grew Jap/ Kent pumpkins on neighbours empty block from Aug 14 till Now May18. Used wick feeding on some for a marginally better growth rate. Plantings were 5 no plants to a volcano shaped ditch which had raw kitchen waste and paper dug deep - 450mm. Used really weak liquid manure e.g. work liquor 1 to about 400 applied every third day as the watering. Encouraged bees with some colour plants lobellia etc. Fantastic result some 30 plus very large pumpkins approx 5kg plus. Recommend this method if you have room else grow in trees and spt with panty hose. John

- john Ardross WA

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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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