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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03 Oct 18, Jess (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I see that I should avoid planting pumpkins with potatoes. But how far apart do they need to be? Is opposite ends of the same garden bed ok? Thanks.
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08 Oct 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Depends how far apart you planted them - ends of a bed doesn't tell me much. Take into consideration how far the pumpkin plant will spread - could be 5-6-7m. Do you want them running through your potatoes. I would suggest planting any vine crop away from smaller crops.
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03 Sep 18, Jeff (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have saved seed from a pumpkin we like and allowed to dry. I am soaking some in water and some in a damp paper towel and left some dry. None are showing any sign of striking. Do I just wait longer or will they strike if I plant some out?
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11 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Take a plastic tray you buy your meat or chicken in from supermarkets - 2-3
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03 Sep 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Pumpkin seeds will take about 7-10 days to show any activity. Your best bet is damp paper towel or seed raising mix. As they are frost tender, pumpkin seeds need some warmth to start germinating.
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08 Apr 18, Toni (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have pumpkins that have come up in my garden .They came up in November and are white skins at the moment.I live in Rangiora North Canterbury.I don't know anything about growing them.Do I leave them in as long as possible as I don't know whether the frost or rain will affect them. Thankyou
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09 Apr 18, Jim (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Toni you can stop watering your Pumpkins now. After you have a frost the leaves will die off. After the leaves die off you can harvest them any time now. Leave the stem on and store in a place with good air supply and sun to ripen. You can check the ripeness by knocking on them with your knuckles listen for a hollow sound which indicates ripe. Enjoy Jim
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18 Mar 18, Margaret (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
How do you know when they are ready to harvest
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10 Jan 19, Jacob (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Wait till the plant dies before harvesting.
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14 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Above it says 15-20 weeks to harvest. Take notice of when to plant and how long to harvest.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 85 comments
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Depends what climate zone you live in, what type they are and if you have cold conditions and frost. They probably germinated due to the warmth of the compost so if they are in a warm sheltered position you could let them grow and see if they reach maturity. Then you will be able to keep the seeds as they will be acclimatised to local conditions and should always grow better than seeds introduced from elsewhere. All depends on if you have the room to experiment.

- Robyn

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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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