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 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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15 Sep 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
Good luck, gardening is all about trying new things. My daughter has me growing sun flowers, first time in 40+years.
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03 Sep 20, Abdul Mogale (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I farm in Heidelberg, Gauteng and would like to try pumpkin on a 17 hactre land without irrigating. Please advise me. (Gardenate says : This is not a farm advisory site. Contact your nearest agricultural department. )
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27 Aug 20, alexander (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I read that they can have trouble pollinating without a little help, though I haven't started growing mine yet.
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20 Sep 20, Ivie Walker (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Because of the heat in zone 9a. Plants have difficulty pollinating when temperatures are 90 degrees or higher. In Southern Nevada temps got to 120 degrees. I plant seeds especially seedlings once temps are below 90 degrees. When temps are high I use Blossom Set to help the fruit to set on
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28 Aug 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 6b climate)
If you don't have active bees when they flower then you can hand pollinate. A female flower is only open for a few hours one day, if not pollinated then no pumpkin grows. Google how to do it.
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26 Jul 20, Jaime (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I'm on the Central Coast of NSW. Is there any way of growing pumpkins so they're ready for Halloween?
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27 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It says 15-20 weeks so you are outside of that timeframe. The seeds need warm weather to germinate. and grow. You could try, the pumpkin grows pretty quickly then takes about 3-4 weeks to mature to eat. Need full sun.
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17 Jul 20, Neil (Australia - tropical climate)
How do I germinate by hand? Are there male and female flowers?
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19 Jul 20, Liz (Australia - tropical climate)
There are male and female flowers. The female ones have a tiny pumpkin behind the flower. When you can see the yellow pollen in the male flowers, either pick one and gently rub inside the female flowers or use a cottonbud to collect pollen from the male flower and then rub in the female flower.
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13 Jul 20, Marylee (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I was hoping to plant some pumpkins, but I am worried they won't grow very well since it is almost the middle of July. Can I still plant some in my garden? I live in a very warm climate too.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 825 comments
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I am just south of Townsville and planted Qld Blue pumpkin seeds in early April in good soil with correct PH levels. Plenty of space to run and good sunshine and watered daily. The plants grew well for about 6 weeks producing masses of mostly male flowers?? I had plenty of bees doing their job, but still only got two pumpkins that didn't reach maturity before the plants died off about 2-3 weeks ago. We did have a couple of 6deg nights but nothing lower. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Cheers

- LynnStinten

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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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