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  

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Frost tender

  • 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

06 May 09, Mason Batley (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm currently living in Finland and I've managed to grow 2 pumpkins in plastic party cups which are currently about 15cm and I'm going to plant the in the forrest, somewhere suitable to hopefully produce pumpkins in this cool climate which gets down around the -15 mark in winter but in summer it can get in the 20-30 mark so we will see how they go. I'm experimenting at the moment by putting cups with newly planted seeds into our sauna which is around 30c most of the time because of the infloor heating and it's a well insulated room and then I could bring the seedlings out when they rise above the soil. Will see how it goes! :)
17 May 09, Lindsay Langley (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have a very healthy Jap pumpkin vine, that seeded itself in the compost heap. I have one pumpkin on it, and would love more. I have tried fertilising the female flowers with the males but they still rot and fall off. Any other ideas please.
03 Jun 09, Tania (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you tell the difference between male and female flowers?
04 Jun 09, Elle Allardice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dear Ray Selby, I have just accessed your reply to me about Iron Bark pumpkins! Thank you. How can I contact you. I would simply love some seeds, and even a pumpkin or two! I live on the Sunshine Coast at Buderim, Ph 07 54452729
09 Jun 09, Watering (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the yellow and green outside the pumkins so not sure what they are called. How do you know when to pick them. I was told when the Vine goes woody. However I have been looking and they are still very green. It was a self sown plant. I cut one about a month ago and the seeds werent fully developed but it was half looking like being ripe. Really not sure what to look for to make sure it is ripe. Thankyou kindly and would love the help
13 Jun 09, Martha May (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
To Tony Bray..Pardon my tariness, had a beak away. Thanks very much for the pumpkin seeds Tony. Can't wait for September to get them started. To the group.... The garden is looking a bit bedraggled at the moment. Having a war with the possums. Tried napthalene, chilli, pepper. I know that a light on will deter them somewhat..even left a plate of fruit away from the garden beds. They ate that and came for dessert. The light is good but alas the chooks are near the veggie beds and when the light goes on the girls dash out of the coop thinking it is day light. So no lights. I can see more drastic measures coming up. Relocation... but even that is fraught with problems. If I get rid of them .... they invade someone elses garden .. So group any better ideas or am I doomed to go back to the greengrocer? Thanks MM
30 Jun 09, Linda C (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, just built a house on a new block, and itching to start my vegi patch! Planning on doing some soil improvement by digging in dirt from the saleyards (manure and hay mix, aged) and wanting to get some pumpkins in the ground. Would I be able to plant some seeds now in egg cartons, and when my garden patch is ready transplant the whole thing in the ground? Just curious. Thanks.
24 Jul 09, Anneliese (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
anyone grown Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato? thoughts please
23 Aug 09, mick (Australia - tropical climate)
our leaves are turning yellow and there is no white mildew on them wondering what is the cause lack of water or to much or whatever tips u can give us would be grateull
24 Aug 09, redneckplanter (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
anybody able to send any pumpkin seeds from the land down under to a limey in texas?lol seriously? lemmie know?thanks.
Showing 41 - 50 of 677 comments

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