Your comments and tips

15 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

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.

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13 Mar 17, Gary Williamson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)

Try some heritage pumpkins. Seeds on bid or buy or direct from Seeds For Africa or Livingseeds. Remember as much compost as you can use. If possible plant straight into the compost heap. Watch for powdery mildew when night temperatures go down or long wet humid weather prevails. It will knock your plants down in days.

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02 Mar 17, Tuaine (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

So hubby & I notice that there's pumpkins which I found out it's buttercups growing in our backyard. We no nothing of how to grow or start a garden. So need some friendly advice as we're willing to see how long these pumpkins can lasts.

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04 Mar 17, Joan (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I am trying to grow them and they are going alright at this point; I though I was going to lose them all together but I found out I was just watering them far too much so i pulled back on the amount of days i was watering them and I think they are doing alright cos I have pumpkins flowering. I am looking forward to eating them too.

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03 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Pumpkins take about 3 and a 1/2 to 4 months to harvest from seed planting. This will give you an idea whether you will have ripe pumpkins before winter. They like lots of water and manure and often thrive from seeds in the compost. Water them at the roots to avoid mildew problems. If it is a running variety you can turn the vines back on themselves to contain them if you need to. Ripe pumpkins will have a dry stalk. Harvesting after the first frost (if you get them) will make them sweeter. Any unripe pumpkins are not likely to keep very long so you can make and freeze pumpkin soup or grate them into recipe sized quantities and freeze them to replace zucchinis in savoury muffins or slice. For your gardening helps and any questions don't hesitate to refer to this site or send us a line. Happy Gardening!

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29 Jan 17, Dominic (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Where would one get seeds for different variety of pumpkins is Gauteng. And where would one sale his/her produce?

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04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

I would suggest you try nurseries and garden centres for seed. I you don't have any luck try 'pumpkin seed' on the internet. Pumpkins are generally very easy to sell to hotels, etc if they are home grown and properly ripe. Many shop pumpkins are not properly ripe. Trust this helps.

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29 Jan 17, Gabriella Hont (Australia - temperate climate)

What is the best way to water pumpkin plants? Do you water near the original base or do they grow roots elsewhere?

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04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

The best way to water pumpkins is at the roots as overhead watering will encourage mildew development. And, yes they do send down roots from the running stems so if you can trickle water them it will definitely help. Trust this helps.

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29 Jan 17, elizabeth starrett (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

December I noticed in my garden an unusual plant growing from kitchen compost . Now at the end of January it has spread over the lawn, someone said it was a pumpkin, I can identify many fruit forming, like a glob shape with yellow flower,, and long stems with yellow flowers the fruit is a light green color.How can I know at this stage, it a pumpkin, and not a weed. thanks

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