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
06 May 16, Carina Powell (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown pumpkins 2 years in a row that have hard white lumps in them, I have bought a plant both times so I am thinking it must be something to do with were they are growing. Any idea of what could be coursing this?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 17, Dennis Green (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have the same problem. So far I have not found a definitive answer. Lack of water? Not last summer! Deficiency? Maybe, but cannot find any help there neither. Some pumkin have maybe one lump, others go to the cattle.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 May 16, Lynne (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Because pumpkins are harvested around autumn should I dry out and save my seeds until spring for planting?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Apr 16, Kevin hall (Australia - temperate climate)
During Autumn do I remove all pumpkin stems and re-compost the soil or trim the stems and cover with straw ?
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 16, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
Either of them
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Apr 16, Kathleen Broberg (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it ok to plant pumpkin seeds now in WA. We live in the perth hills at Lesmurdie
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Mar 16, Lu (Australia - temperate climate)
When is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds in Perth W.A.
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Mar 16, PHil BEvan (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you control fungus in pumkin vines
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Mar 16, Alan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Phil, You can prevent fungal attack simply by watering directly to the base of the pumpkin plant & never spray watering. Its difficult because the plant spreads so I stake lengths of 25mm poly at planting so I don't have to walk through the plants & simply use a funnel in the end of the poly to deliver water morning & night. A weekly dose of seaweed extract is given the same way. At the end of the season when the plants are mature you can spray a little copper but I generally remove the pumpkins, eat the tips & compost the rest. Hope this helps, Al.
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Mar 16, Toni (Australia - temperate climate)
Phil Ware sub tropical small pumpkins forming then dropping off. I hand pollinated all new pumpkins. Only one grew large. For space reasons (small garden) I cut the pumpkin from the vine and kept a length of vine attached. When might cut up and cook soup etc?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 471 - 480 of 825 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.