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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19 Mar 11, arthur stevens (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why do the baby pumpkins keep falling off the plant the have been enokulated.
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26 Feb 11, Kath (Australia - temperate climate)
We have the same problem here in Brisbane, after hand pollinating the fruit goes yellow and dies off.
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26 Feb 11, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
Living in Brisbane planted in November, plenty of male and female flowers have found after hand pollinating female flowers with small fruit that is turns yellow and dies. Has anyone know what the problem might be.
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22 Feb 11, Cheryl (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a jap pumpkin growing, my problem is that there is only male flowers growing on the vine, when the female flowers grow they die of, can anyone tell why this is happening, do I need to pull it out and start again?
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26 Feb 11, Pam (Australia - temperate climate)
I had the same problem. I picked the male flower and poked it in the female flower to pollinate it. It worked I ended up with lovely big pumpkins.
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20 Feb 11, tony (Australia - temperate climate)
Have a few Japanese pumpkin 300-400mm diameter. Some are developing 1mm crescent shaped cracks due to ?? Only been watering every 2 or 3 days for 15min. Any comments or advice :)?
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29 Jan 11, Kev (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted Jap pumpkin seedlings (from nursery). Have plenty of runners but no flowers. Any advice on why & what to do would be appreciated.
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17 Jan 11, julie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ironbark seeds can be obtained from eden seeds and are very good.
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24 Nov 10, Sylvia Allan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I want to buy Windsor Black Pumpkin seeds, Brian Jarrahdale pumpkin seeds, Grey Crown, Crown Prince, Wampanura? or any crowned pumkin seeds, any one know where I can buy them, please? Sylvia.
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11 Jun 23, Rod warren (Australia - tropical climate)
I have recently retired and would like to grow some black Winsor pumkins
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Showing 701 - 710 of 825 comments
See comments for all plants

Gina, We too have been wondering when to harvest a Pumpkin "buttercup" as is looks large, green & with yellow in a couple of places (like its picture). We cut it and then read that the stalk needs to turn brown before harvesting. So we have taken it too early it seems. Haven't cut it open yet to see it its got any yellow flesh. We will now leave the others that are growing till stalk is brown.

- Sooze

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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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