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
24 Jun 11, karen grunow (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I too am looking for Windsor Black Pumpkin seeds! Have you had any sucess?
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Nov 13, jane (Australia - temperate climate)
I have given some Windsor black open pollinated seeds to my daughter emmalee to sell on ebay.au.I am not fussed about selling pumpkin seeds generally but it seems everyone is looking for the Windsor Black and my girl needs some money.I have grown them for a few years and they are astonishingly prolific. Mine had a pumpkin about every metre on the long vines.Most likely mine are not pure bred but next year I should have better stock.I have planted a few hundred this season well away from any other pumpkins.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Showing 591 - 600 of 686 comments
See comments for all plants

They should be flowering after 4-6 weeks. Generally this is a sign of too much nitrogen and not enough potassium, you will need to mix it into the soil or get a water soluble type to water around the root zone. You can add Sulphate of Potash to increase the potassium which should encourage flowering and fruiting. you could also try calcium (dolomite lime) this will also make your soil more alkaline so would help to do a soil test first. If your soil is a clay type you could use gypsum instead to help break up the soil, it is also high in calcium.

- Justin

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.