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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28 Feb 16, Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi David, It's too late to plant from seed, they will grow to a point but won't mature into full grown pumpkins...plant pumkin seed in nov-dec..., Cheers, Linda
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28 Feb 16, Phill ware (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A lot of flowers , pumpkins forming then die off. Only getting a couple to eat.
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05 Mar 16, Bill Hughes (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I "hand pollinate"?
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03 Mar 16, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Pollination is not happening. Try hand pollination
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24 Feb 16, Christine Horsfall (Australia - temperate climate)
It is mid February. Is it too late to plant pumpkin seeds? Thank you. Christine
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23 Feb 16, Mick O'neill (Australia - arid climate)
When is the right time to pick my Jap pumpkins?
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22 Feb 16, David (Australia - temperate climate)
It is the 22nd February Can I grow start my pumpkin from seed now or is it to late
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13 Mar 16, Elizabeth (Australia - temperate climate)
To late I planted mine late November. I have quite a few pumpkins on mine.
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21 Feb 16, shirley (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
When to plant pumpkin in the western cape
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13 Feb 16, Val (Australia - temperate climate)
how can I tell when my jarradale pumpkins are ready to harvest?
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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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