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

13 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You could do both depending on how many squash you have. I had a couple of cuies that had 3 flushes of cuies. If I nipped the vine I would have only had 18 cuies - in the end I had 48.
04 Dec 18, Robyn (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Te Anau and wonder what is a faster maturing pumpkin variety?? We had a good crop of pumpkins growing last year, but a rogue frost in mid March killed off the plant and the pumpkin crop did not ripen, and the weather is only coming good now (early Dec) to plant.
05 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look around some seed selling companies - email or phone them. Most times I see like 15-20 weeks to grow but which is early I don't know. Another way is to start the seeds early indoors or somewhere protected from the weather. You could start growing them in Oct say under lights. Sometimes nature throws us a big curve ball and stuffs it all up.
09 Dec 18, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
thanks
17 Oct 18, Vincenzo gattellari (Australia - temperate climate)
When the time for plants the grey pumpkin
21 Oct 18, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Now
17 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Most common is the Jarrahdale pumpkin - plant Sept to Dec and don't pick until vine starts dying - about 18-20 weeks from planting. Good fertile soil, lots of sun and plenty of water.
03 Oct 18, Jess (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I see that I should avoid planting pumpkins with potatoes. But how far apart do they need to be? Is opposite ends of the same garden bed ok? Thanks.
08 Oct 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Depends how far apart you planted them - ends of a bed doesn't tell me much. Take into consideration how far the pumpkin plant will spread - could be 5-6-7m. Do you want them running through your potatoes. I would suggest planting any vine crop away from smaller crops.
03 Sep 18, Jeff (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have saved seed from a pumpkin we like and allowed to dry. I am soaking some in water and some in a damp paper towel and left some dry. None are showing any sign of striking. Do I just wait longer or will they strike if I plant some out?
Showing 271 - 280 of 825 comments

Ray, your pumpkins are falling off early because they are not fertilised. You may need to go around with a paintbrush and transfer pollen from the male flowers to the female. Check the comment from Jaci to identify which is which.

- David

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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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