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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23 Feb 18, Trudi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have lots of pumpkin flowers but only one pumpkin has formed. A friend mentioned male and female flowers. Can/should I remove flowers that aren't going to produce fruit?
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26 Feb 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you go to the Australian - sub-tropical zone - there is quite a bit about this with pumpkin. Pumpkin produce male flowers first then they have female flowers, The female flower is only open for one day (until about mid day). No bees no pumpkin. So hand pollination is required. Take about two male flowers and rub the female flowers with it. Look up the internet on how to do it. This applies to zucchini, cues and melons also I believe.
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07 Feb 18, Rose (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My pumpkin snapped off the vine. It is very large but the vine is still healthy. What do i do with the pumpkin to ripen it
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14 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Support the vine next time. If the vine had started to die back etc the pumpkin would have been ripe/mature - 5-6 mths old. If the plant had only been growing 3 mths then the pumpkin would be immature.
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08 May 18, Peter (New Zealand - temperate climate)
had the same problem early in last season I put the pumpkin in a warm dry place in the garden shed and was left for 3 months decided to cut it and was surprised to see a fresh not fully ripe but very edible pumpkin, warm shed and dry seems to work
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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?
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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.
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14 Jan 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Follow the advice for zucchini/courgettes -www.gardenate.com/plant/Zucchini
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06 Jan 18, Ngaire Whytock (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Why should you avoid planting near potatoes
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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 .
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Showing 41 - 50 of 85 comments
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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.

- Orlene

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