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 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 - 120 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

01 Aug 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When to plant bottle Gourd?
03 Aug 17, Bev (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Like all curcubitae, planting time is when your soil is up to 20C. Definitely after all risk of frost is over
02 Oct 17, sunshine (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
When is the time to grow pumpkin, cauliflower, mandarin. Thank you.
21 Oct 17, Margaret Symons (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
In HB, pumpkin planting of seeds you've stored from last year gets underway in early October. They're easy to grow, plant deeper than 3 cm if birds may dig them out. They will ramble everywhere in your garden! ....Plant mandarins before November. Mandarins do fine semi rural in HB with no frost protection. But once a year, you need to spray them with oil as they can get sooty mould. The sooner you spray the better if the leaves start showing this black mould as it spreads. I hate spraying if there are bees around so check this out first. I underplant citrus with allysium as this little flower is meant to discourage bugs.
13 Dec 17, Damian Blake (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Why is it recommended to avoid growing pumpkin near potato plants?
06 Jan 18, Ngaire Whytock (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Why should you avoid planting near potatoes
02 Mar 18, David Cottle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Not growing pumpkins with a potato crop is a falsehood . An easy way to grow both together an have a good cropmof both is to let the potatoes grow and when well established and moulded up at least twice after all frosts .I always throw a rotten pumpkin onto the potato patch and along with all of the pumpkin seeds collected from those which have been used . A good crop of both pumpkins and potatoes always happens .The pumpkins help to suppress weeds and are good companion plants for spuds .
12 Jan 18, Susan Long (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can you grow gem squash in South Taranaki, New Zealand? When is the best time to grow them and how?
14 Jan 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Follow the advice for zucchini/courgettes -www.gardenate.com/plant/Zucchini
06 Apr 18, Denise Gibson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live in Wainuiomata and have grown gems for two years running and I intend to plant a lot more this year. They were delicious. I planted the seed at the end of August and as soon as they had about 4 leaves, I planted them out in the garden, I also cut off the bottom of a coke bottle, took the cap off and put the bottle over the seedling until they were a little stronger. Hope this is helpful and good luck.
Showing 31 - 40 of 85 comments

You are listed as sub-tropical but also mention Dunedin. If you live in Dunedin it may be too late for the pumpkins to ripen before winter sets in. Pumpkins need about 4-5 months of good growing weather to do really well. The best way to grow pumpkins in areas where the seasons are shorter is to plant them in toilet paper cylinders filled with mix about 3 weeks before the last frost is expected. Stand the cylinders in a container (for watering) and keep them in a sunny spot inside. As soon as the soil is warm enough, about mid November in Dunedin I would think you could plant them out (cylinder included, it will rot. Removing the growing tips when a few pumpkins have formed will definitely help the pumpkins to grow a good size. If the pumpkins don't develop enough this year grate them and use them instead of zucchini in cakes or savoury slice or muffins. Trust this helps.

- Jonno

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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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