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

03 Jun 09, Tania (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you tell the difference between male and female flowers?
04 Jun 09, Elle Allardice (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dear Ray Selby, I have just accessed your reply to me about Iron Bark pumpkins! Thank you. How can I contact you. I would simply love some seeds, and even a pumpkin or two! I live on the Sunshine Coast at Buderim, Ph 07 54452729
09 Jun 09, Watering (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the yellow and green outside the pumkins so not sure what they are called. How do you know when to pick them. I was told when the Vine goes woody. However I have been looking and they are still very green. It was a self sown plant. I cut one about a month ago and the seeds werent fully developed but it was half looking like being ripe. Really not sure what to look for to make sure it is ripe. Thankyou kindly and would love the help
13 Jun 09, Martha May (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
To Tony Bray..Pardon my tariness, had a beak away. Thanks very much for the pumpkin seeds Tony. Can't wait for September to get them started. To the group.... The garden is looking a bit bedraggled at the moment. Having a war with the possums. Tried napthalene, chilli, pepper. I know that a light on will deter them somewhat..even left a plate of fruit away from the garden beds. They ate that and came for dessert. The light is good but alas the chooks are near the veggie beds and when the light goes on the girls dash out of the coop thinking it is day light. So no lights. I can see more drastic measures coming up. Relocation... but even that is fraught with problems. If I get rid of them .... they invade someone elses garden .. So group any better ideas or am I doomed to go back to the greengrocer? Thanks MM
30 Jun 09, Linda C (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, just built a house on a new block, and itching to start my vegi patch! Planning on doing some soil improvement by digging in dirt from the saleyards (manure and hay mix, aged) and wanting to get some pumpkins in the ground. Would I be able to plant some seeds now in egg cartons, and when my garden patch is ready transplant the whole thing in the ground? Just curious. Thanks.
24 Jul 09, Anneliese (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
anyone grown Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato? thoughts please
23 Aug 09, mick (Australia - tropical climate)
our leaves are turning yellow and there is no white mildew on them wondering what is the cause lack of water or to much or whatever tips u can give us would be grateull
24 Aug 09, redneckplanter (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
anybody able to send any pumpkin seeds from the land down under to a limey in texas?lol seriously? lemmie know?thanks.
27 Aug 09, Queen Vic (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Folks. We have a strip about 2 metres wide between the house and a 2 metre high fence. It's on the SW side of the house so only sees sunshine late in the day. Do you thinks pumpkns (or anything else) would grow successfully there. We are close to the beach in Mandurah WA. Thanks.
02 Sep 09, Amanda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
To Martha May - re the possums, try Lap sang Soo Chong tea as strong as possible to spray around ( you can buy it at the supermarket) mix and allow to cool - put in spray bottle and spray around - won't hurt plants but believe possums hate it!
Showing 51 - 60 of 823 comments

I planted some heirloom pumpkin seeds and the plants were looking great. Female flowers were looking great and opened early in the mornings but the male flowers were too immature to use to hand polinate. They simply had no polen when I opened up the flowers! any suggestions? I'm thinking i need to put some potash in the soil maybe

- kez

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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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