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

19 Sep 15, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Jane Did you have any luck with Windsor Black Pumpkin seeds . Are they still on ebay Laurie
19 Sep 15, Laurie Thompson (Australia - temperate climate)
Syvia Allen Did you ever find any Windsor Black Pumpkin seeds . I have tried everywhere . Laurie Mount Waverley
02 Sep 15, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
l live in Calista WA just south of Perth. Is October the best time to sow Butternut Pumpkin seeds for best results?
09 Aug 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
the first lot of female flowers need to be pollinated.. then the fruit grows in the next flower lot
13 Jul 15, Colin Turner (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to know every thing I need to know to grow Jap Nut Pumpkins,
07 Jun 15, kierian (Australia - temperate climate)
Any tips on growing, looking after and getting turks turban pumpkins to pollenate? Any tips or help very much appreciated.
19 May 15, Dave (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have just purchased some Mc Leay mongrel seeds but I am having issues finding information online regarding the species. Is anyone able to assist? Does it come under a different name?
17 May 15, john Ardross WA (Australia - arid climate)
I grew Jap/ Kent pumpkins on neighbours empty block from Aug 14 till Now May18. Used wick feeding on some for a marginally better growth rate. Plantings were 5 no plants to a volcano shaped ditch which had raw kitchen waste and paper dug deep - 450mm. Used really weak liquid manure e.g. work liquor 1 to about 400 applied every third day as the watering. Encouraged bees with some colour plants lobellia etc. Fantastic result some 30 plus very large pumpkins approx 5kg plus. Recommend this method if you have room else grow in trees and spt with panty hose. John
04 May 15, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
ref: April 4. Cut off one of 8 pumpkins and made soup. They are definitely ready. My freezer is full of soup for the winter. Thank you all who answered my email. Appreciated.
04 May 15, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
They need hand pollination. Had same problem at the beginning but ended up with 8 after manually fertilizing them. Bit late now but keep in mind next time.
Showing 511 - 520 of 825 comments

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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