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

14 Apr 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
The monthly calendar tells you when to plant.
25 Jan 20, Michael Daly (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I have plenty of runners on my pumpkins when can you start cutting these off They are greys and green colours. Why are you not supposed to grow near potatoes.
27 Jan 20, anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You don't cut the runners (vine) off, how do you expect to grow any pumpkin if you cut them off.
23 Mar 21, Vinny (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
You do cut the runners but only once one or two pumpkins have started to bud from the flower. If you let the runners lead long they sap the goodness from the growing pumpkins making them small and even die off.
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
22 Jul 19, Walter fargo (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Lindsy. Try Kings seeds, they have two types of oil seed pumpkin (that is the type you want). Austrian Oil Seed Pumpkin and Pumpkin Lady Godiva. Be careful with the water when sowing the seed, as they have no husk they can rot if the soil is too wet.
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
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
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.
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!)
Showing 11 - 20 of 85 comments

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

- Jim

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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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