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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
21 Mar 18, Cecilia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Why are my home grown pumpkins watery? Not nice mashed.Would they make a nice soup.?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same - maybe they might dry out if left for a month or so. Mine are jap - very sweet and moist. I probably pick them a bit early as I wanted to dig the garden up to plant other crops.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to grow pumpkin in raised beds without much luck. I have flowers that don't fruit. I have lots of bees in other beds but suspect there is a pollination issue. How do you tell the difference between female & male flowers, then how do I pollinate the female flower?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Mar 18, Also Lisa (Australia - tropical climate)
Ditto to Lisa above. The female flowers look like they already have a small pumpkin at their base. They are very easy to pollinate by hand.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Mar 18, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The female flowers have what looks like a small pumpkin just behind the base of the petals the male ones have only got stalk there. The centre of the flowers are different too. The male flower has a longer, thin centre (think "male" and you get the idea) and the centre of the female flower is sort of a roundish swirl. To hand pollinate, remove a male flower and tear off the petals. The "male" part has the pollen. Rub it on the "female" part, the roundish swirl in the centre of the female flower. If it has worked, the pumpkin looking bit of the female flower will start to grow.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Mar 18, Margaret (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
How do you know when they are ready to harvest
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jan 19, Jacob (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Wait till the plant dies before harvesting.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 321 - 330 of 833 comments
See comments for all plants

Pumpkins are best planted when soil temperatures have reached 15-17 degrees C. This varies between climate zones, Australia is a large country. A soil thermometer is aa good investment to check this. They usually cost around $20.00. If you plant seedlings in February you would need to have about 4 frost-free months to harvest. As for ethics many companies sell what looks good or what people want. Tomato plants are available in Victoria as early as July. They will not do well until mid to late October when the soil has warmed up and many will die. This suits the seedling growers as they will sell more plants as replacements. Having said that if you have a sheltered spot you could get tomatoes going earlier. The best thing to do is to check the planting times on this site relevant to your area and don't be tempted by what's on offer.

- John

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 GardenGrow 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 GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | 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. 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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.