Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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

23 Mar 18, Shona (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have exactly the same issue. Is it worth self pollinating now that its nearly April and will the pumpkins grow?
18 Mar 18, Margaret (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
How do you know when they are ready to harvest
10 Jan 19, Jacob (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Wait till the plant dies before harvesting.
14 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Above it says 15-20 weeks to harvest. Take notice of when to plant and how long to harvest.
17 Mar 18, Hank Vanderwaarden (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Just picked my pumkins last week 10/3/18, after the vine died off, have them sitting on the veranda out of the sun and just want to know how long to leave them before they can be eaten.
01 Apr 18, Grant Onysko (Australia - temperate climate)
Just make sure the attaching stem has hardened up and gone brown, I still have pumpkins over a year old, keep them inside if you can, all you have to do is pick them when they are ripe. Cheers
30 Mar 18, Stephen G (Australia - temperate climate)
I left Butternut pumpkins harvested March 2017 out for about ten days before storing in a cellar. We picked 98. They were still excellent for 9 months, and we have just finished off the last 12 months later. No longer 100%, but we are not complaining.
18 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Straight away. Keep them in a cool place and they will be good to eat for a few months.
08 Mar 18, Mick (Australia - arid climate)
Hi planted my pumpkins in mid February, very healthy vine but very few female flowers and the ones that do arrive fall off before they get the chance to open.
10 Mar 18, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Listening to all the gardening experts, this year has been poor for pumpkins, for whatever reason. Persevere with watering and feeding, as mine are just starting to fruit now. Regular liquid fertilizer should get them going fro you.
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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. GardenGrow 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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