When to Plant Pumpkins in Australia

Pumpkins thrive in warm weather and need a long growing season — usually 18–22 weeks from sowing to harvest. In Australia, the best planting time depends on your climate zone. As a rule, sow pumpkins in spring once the soil warms to at least 18°C. In frost-free regions, you can plant earlier or later; in cooler states, wait until frosts have passed. Here’s the exact timing state by state.

At a Glance: Planting by State

NSW: Mid–spring to early summer (October–December)
QLD: Subtropics March–September; tropics April–July (dry season)
VIC: Late October–November after frosts
TAS: November–December only (short warm season)
SA: Mid–spring to early summer (October–December)
WA (south): October–December; WA (north): April–July
NT: April–July (cool dry season)

Quick Tip: Always plant after the last frost in cool states, and time it so fruit matures before cold autumn nights set in.

528875004_18108687634533215_6131141578762533508_n (1)

534988757_18093865339646599_6246550377256909938_n (1)

NSW & ACT

In coastal NSW and Sydney Basin, plant pumpkins from October to December. In inland and tablelands, wait until frosts are past — usually late October–November. Early sowings give the longest harvest window into autumn.

Queensland

In subtropical SE QLD, sow from March to September to avoid summer humidity and fruit rot. In far north QLD, plant during the dry season (April–July). Avoid the wet season when mildew and rot are common.

Victoria

VIC has a shorter, cooler summer. Wait until late October–November to sow, once nights are reliably above 12–14°C. Direct sowing works best in prepared soil; transplants are riskier due to shock.

Tasmania

The coldest state — plant pumpkins only in November–December, once frosts are gone. Choose faster-maturing varieties and a sunny, sheltered spot. Black plastic mulch or cloches help warm soil for germination.

South Australia

In SA, plant from October to December. Earlier sowings risk frost; later sowings may be cut short by autumn cold. Pumpkins do well in Adelaide Plains and Riverland with irrigation through summer.

Western Australia

Southern WA (Perth, Albany): sow October–December in warmed soils. In the north, plant April–July during the cooler dry season, avoiding monsoon humidity.

Northern Territory

Plant only during the dry, cooler season (April–July). Avoid the wet — disease pressure is too high. Pumpkins ripen well in NT if watered deeply and mulched to buffer heat.

540695333_1178957717600875_5999564089427829999_n (1)

541783399_1178957834267530_7609532118367586319_n (1)

Tips for Successful Pumpkin Planting

Soil prep: Work in mature compost; avoid fresh manure at planting.
Spacing: 1 m apart in rows 1.5–2 m wide. Pumpkins need room to run.
Water: Deep, even watering. Mulch vines to conserve soil moisture.
Fertiliser: From true leaves, feed weekly with CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 at 3–4 ml/L for steady growth and fruit bulking.
Pollination: Encourage bees with companion flowers. Hand-pollinate if fruit set is low.

FAQs

Can I start pumpkins indoors? In VIC/TAS, you can raise seedlings indoors and transplant carefully once frosts end, but direct sowing is less stressful.
How warm should soil be? At least 18°C for reliable germination.
How late can I plant? As long as fruit can ripen before autumn cold — usually December in cool zones, February in frost-free zones.
Which varieties grow fastest? ‘Kent’ and ‘Golden Nugget’ mature quicker than large Jarrahdale or Queensland Blue.