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 68°F and 90°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 35 - 47 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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19 Oct 08, Geraldine (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello Pumpkin Growers I am attempting to grow pumpkin for the first time. Do I need to grow at least 2 plants? I am not sure if the plants have both male and female flowers, or are single sex? Any tips appreciated; I do realise I will have to "encourage" pollination.
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03 Oct 08, Warren (Australia - tropical climate)
Liss, Pumpkins are not really heavy feeders in my experience also to seem to require little water. They really like sulphate of potash, that can be either burnt ashes or a comercial product. A few watering every 3 or four days will keep them thriving. A point to remember is that when the fruit begins to develop don't increase the water or the fruit may split. Hope this helps. Warren
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03 Oct 08, Liss (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are pumpkins heavy feeders? What do they like? In the soil I mean.
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02 Oct 08, Carmen (Australia - temperate climate)
About hand pollination can you please give me some more info on the best practice on doing so??? Thanks
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23 Sep 08, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Brendan, I have seen a pumpkin vine that took over a paling fence Approx 15mts. But all the fruit grew on the neighbours side. Lucky we got to share
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05 Sep 08, dennis gibson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
possums eating my pumpkins had to cover with fruit netting worked well
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02 Sep 08, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
brendan - have not tried the clothes line, but have tried a pergola of sorts. Grew vine up on to shed and worked a treat, higher, more sunlight.
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11 Aug 08, brendan (Australia - temperate climate)
has anybody ever grown a pumpkin vine up a pergola or clothes line with any success, and if so, how is the best way to go about it? thanks.
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Showing 681 - 688 of 688 comments
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Hi Cat, Yes you can transplant your pumpkin plant! There will be no way to tell what kind of pumpkin you have until your fruit are growing and it may actually end up being a hybrid mixed variety. It should still be good to eat though! Pumpkins produce both male and female flowers. If you do not have many bees or wish to be guaranteed pumpkins it doesn't hurt to hand pollinate particularly if you only have the one plant. Plenty of info online about how to do that but it is easy with pumpkins. Just google

- Katie

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