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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13 Mar 21, Martyn Beaver (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow pumpkin all year round in Brisbane and if so can I grow Kent /jap and butternut ?
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19 Mar 21, M (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most crops have a preferred season or two to grow during. There are reasons for that. That is why this website recommends growing at certain times of the year.
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05 Mar 21, Edith Martin (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some butternut pumpkin seeds in January. They are only producing male flowers. How can I get some female flowers?
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08 Mar 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Give them some time. Quite often male flowers are first to appear, attract the bees.
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28 Feb 21, Kobie Swanepoel (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My pumpkin's leaves are full of lice. What natural remedy can i use for that? Thanks
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28 Feb 21, Daniel Chai (New Zealand - temperate climate)
in my garden now many pumpkins are sprouting, even if it is not the season. Maybe after eating pumpkins the dregs were dumped there. what shall i do? Do I remove them to save the space for other veges or leave them?
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10 Mar 21, Orlene (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Howdy, If you can afford to give them that space e.g you dont need to use it for something else I say keep them in, might as well give it a go and see if you can get another harvest. I am currently growing Golden Nugget Pumpkins, they are a bush variety so can handle a bit lower temp/less light hours. One thing you will need to watch out for is powdery mildew as the plants tend to stay wetter for longer in the morning and the evening.
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01 Mar 21, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
There is not much sense growing something out of season. You may produce a crop that has little or no produce. Grow some thing that is in season.
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15 Feb 21, Que (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How many plants must I plant in a hectare?
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16 Feb 21, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Google to find out some numbers. MAKE SURE you have plenty of bees in your area.
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Showing 81 - 90 of 837 comments
See comments for all plants

Pumpkins are best planted when soil temperatures have reached 15-17 degrees C. This varies between climate zones, Australia is a large country. A soil thermometer is aa good investment to check this. They usually cost around $20.00. If you plant seedlings in February you would need to have about 4 frost-free months to harvest. As for ethics many companies sell what looks good or what people want. Tomato plants are available in Victoria as early as July. They will not do well until mid to late October when the soil has warmed up and many will die. This suits the seedling growers as they will sell more plants as replacements. Having said that if you have a sheltered spot you could get tomatoes going earlier. The best thing to do is to check the planting times on this site relevant to your area and don't be tempted by what's on offer.

- John

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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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