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

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22 Jan 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Or break off a male flower and peel back the flower part, then rub the female flower with the male part. Make sure the male has pollen on it by testing with your finger. Even do this with 2-3 male flowers.
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23 Jan 19, Sal (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for that, I assumed that if a pumpkin formed it must have been pollinated.
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28 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The female flowers are only open for 1 day and usually closed by lunch. Have to be on the ball to pollinate them.
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02 Feb 19, Katrina (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi guys, our neighbours are growing pumpkins (look like crown variety with pale skin and flat bottom) and the vines came over into our place and a nice big pumpkin grew, so of course I picked it right away not knowing anything about pumpkins. The inside was a weird pale yellow rather than orange, I presume now that I have just picked it too soon and it is unripe! Is that correct? Thanks.
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03 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Check with your neighbour next time. Next time wait until the stem has become hard and woody. About 16-20 weeks after seeds germinate.
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04 Feb 19, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
Not a problem if it is unripe! can still make lovely pumpkin soup (I actually thin it is better with unripe pumpkin!)
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05 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Put some curry in it to give it some taste. lol
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19 Mar 19, Robyn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We live in North Otago NZ what time of year & how do you know that your pumpkins are ready to harvest the plants are named little cutties
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13 Apr 19, G carr (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What causes the white mould type stuff that attacks pumpkins .I try hard not to spray is there a none chemical solutions to this problem. Thank you
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27 Apr 19, Lindsey (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I would like to grow some pepitas or other breed of squash that has an edible seed. Can you reccomend a type and tell me where i can buy seed, cheers Lindsey
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Showing 61 - 70 of 85 comments
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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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