When to Plant Pumpkin in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
Sow July to March. Right now in September you can sow.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Pumpkin guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Pumpkins are warm-season cucurbits central to Australian food culture. Three species are commonly grown: C. maxima (Queensland Blue, Jarrahdale), C. moschata (Butternut), and C. pepo (Golden Nugget). They require long warm seasons, ample space, and insect pollination. Excellent storage crops lasting months after harvest.
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T/D | T/D | T | - | - | - | S | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 18–35°C) ✓ Ready to plant
That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.
How to Grow Pumpkin in Subtropical Australia
When to Plant
September to December (spring-early summer).
- Soil
- Deep, fertile, well-drained soil enriched heavily with compost and aged manure. Traditionally grown on old compost heaps.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
- Spacing
- 150cm apart, 200cm between rows
- Watering
- Deep watering 2-3 times per week at base of plant. Avoid wetting leaves. Reduce watering as fruit matures to concentrate flavour and improve storage life.
Companion plants: Corn, Beans (Three Sisters), Marigold, Nasturtium, Sunflower
Avoid planting near: Potato, Other cucurbits of same species (if seed saving)
Subtropical Growing Tips for Pumpkin
Recommended Varieties
- Queensland Blue
- Butternut
- Jap/Kent
- Golden Nugget (bush)
- Jarrahdale
Key Challenges
- Powdery mildew from late summer
- Pumpkin beetle
- Fruit fly
Pro Tips
- Queensland Blue is the classic subtropical pumpkin, excellent storage
- Golden Nugget for small gardens. Compact bush habit, 90 days
- Cure harvested pumpkins in sun for 7-10 days for long storage
Harvesting Pumpkin
When ready: Skin hard (cannot dent with thumbnail), stem dry and corky, fruit sounds hollow when tapped.
How to harvest: Cut stem with sharp knife leaving 5-10cm stem attached. Do not carry by stem. Cure in sun for 7-10 days.
Worth growing?
A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 1 plant, about $9 worth at today’s Aldi and Coles prices, checked today.
That is roughly 3 kg at $3.00 a kilo.
Draw your pumpkin bed → No account needed.
Common Pumpkin Pests in Subtropical Zones
Organic prevention: Crop rotation. Remove crop debris. Protect seedlings with netting until established.
Where to next
Supermarket Price
Current average retail: $3.00/kg (12-month range: $1.90–$3.50)
Grow your own and save on grocery bills.
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Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Pumpkin
When do you plant pumpkin in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Jul to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Aug to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Aug to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Mar, Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Dec
Does pumpkin grow all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Jul to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.