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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17 Nov 15, Andy (Australia - temperate climate)
My pumpkin plant has pumpkins that are about the size of lemons. They are now starting to go a bit soft and mushy and don't look healthy. What is reason for that? Thanking you in advance
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15 Jan 16, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
G'day Andy, I had the same problem mate. Dr Google says that the female is not being pollinated from the male. Apparently both male and female grow on the same vine and the bees do the pollinating. May need to plant some bee attracting flowers
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18 Nov 15, Jenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Andy, Your pumpkin babies may not have been pollinated. The female flowers produce the small pumpkin but unless it is pollinated from the male flower the pumpkin does not mature. I always find if I do it myself I don't lose any small pumpkins. I just look every morning and collect the pollen from the male flowers and wipe it carefully all the way around the female flowers, including inside the little "arches". You are meant to use a little brush but I often just use part of the pumpkin leaf, the pollen collects on it very well and always comes off in the female. Hope that helps. Jenny
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17 Nov 15, Sue cox (Australia - arid climate)
I am growing Queensland blue pumpkin, I was told to feed the plant with potash. You can get this from a garden shop. It worked, so far I have had lots of flowers. Still to early to have fruit yet, here's hoping.
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12 Nov 15, Joseph (Australia - arid climate)
I live in Rockingham w a My b/nuts are just starting to flower. Can plant all year round July a good time to put seed in. I started late this year. regards Joe
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07 Nov 15, lyn brearley (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown some butternuts from seed, big, healthy looking plants, huge leaves but no flowers, help.
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04 Nov 15, Joseph (Australia - temperate climate)
How do u combat mould?
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03 Nov 15, larretta (Australia - temperate climate)
what is them seedling time for Pumpkin Sweet Grama?
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01 Nov 15, Barry J Hewitrt (Australia - temperate climate)
Last year 2014 I planted some Queensland blue Pumpkins at the end of the harvest I picked 22 pumpkins, but much to my dismay a lot of them were very woody why would this be can any one give me an answer as they weren't very good for pumpkin soup. Cheers Bazza
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15 Nov 15, Ricki (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Barry, as I understand it pumpkins can be woody if they've been cross-pollinated with other types of pumpkins. Do you have others planted nearby? Perhaps a neighbour does? Hope this helps, cheers, Ricki.
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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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