2026 Pumpkin Season Prep

The 2026 Giant Pumpkin Growing Season: Are You Ready?

It’s that time of year again for Southern Hemisphere growers: the start of the giant pumpkin growing season is just around the corner. October is when the magic begins and it’s time to germinate seeds, transplant seedlings, and set the stage for what could be your best season yet.

Are you aiming for a record-breaking giant, a tasty harvest, or a patch full of adorable mini pumpkins, now’s the time to start planning.

What Are You Growing This Year?

Every grower has their own goals. Maybe you’re chasing the dream of growing the heaviest pumpkin in your region. Or perhaps you’re more into growing pumpkins you can actually eat. Then there are the miniature pumpkins, low-maintenance, edible, and undeniably cute. Personally, I’m leaning toward the minis this year. They’re easy to grow, last forever after harvest, and don’t demand as much attention as their giant cousins.

Last year, I made the mistake of planting them too late. The weather turned, and the plants just couldn’t cope. Lesson learned: timing is everything. If you’re growing minis, don’t wait too long to get them in the ground.

The Struggle for Giant Pumpkin Seeds

For those of us in New Zealand, getting high-quality giant pumpkin seeds is always a challenge. Many of the top growers are either out of seeds or taking a break from growing, which makes it tough to access good genetics. It’s frustrating, but it’s the reality we face. Still, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got. Grow the best you can, and who knows? Maybe someone will push the weight limits higher this season.

Speaking of seeds, I had a bit of a disaster with mine. Last year, I carefully harvested seeds from my pumpkin and left them to dry in the garage. I even planned to do an early germination test. But then a rat got into the garage and ate the lot. Yep, all gone. I did catch the rat (it was massive), but that doesn’t bring my seeds back. Now I’m left with older seeds, and I’m not sure how viable they’ll be. I’ll keep you updated on how that goes.

Patch Prep: The Good, the Bad, and the Tree Stump

Prepping your patch is one of the most important steps in pumpkin growing. For me, it’s been a mixed bag this year. I’ve been dealing with a wrist injury that sidelined me for about a month, so I’m trying to take it easy. Still, I managed to make some progress. I knocked down part of a tree stump that’s been a thorn in my side for years. It’s slowly rotting away, and I’m hoping it’ll be completely gone by next season.

Burning the stump was suggested, but honestly, I’m too paranoid about it catching the neighbor’s fence on fire—or worse, spreading underground. So, I’ll just let nature take its course.

The Magic of Mushroom Compost

Last year, I used mushroom compost in my patch, and it worked wonders. I’m hoping to do the same this year, but it’s a matter of timing and logistics. Last time, I only brought home a few small tubs of it, which was manageable. If I go that route again, I might need to figure out how to transport more. Mushroom compost, when worked into the soil well ahead of planting, can make a big difference in your results.

The Eternal Watering Struggle

Watering is always a challenge for me. I don’t have a big budget for fancy irrigation systems, so I rely on what I’ve got. My Solo hoseend sprayer is a great for applying liquid fertilizer, but staying consistent is where I sometimes fall short. It’s one of those “you get out what you put in” situations, and I know I could do better. If you’re like me, try to stay organized and stick to a schedule it really does pay off.

Competitions and Community

One of the best parts of pumpkin growing is the community. Unfortunately, there aren’t many public competitions happening locally this year, which is a bit of a letdown. I just don’t have the energy to organize anything myself, but I’m hopeful that things might pick up next year. In the meantime, there are always smaller competitions among schools, families, and friends. If you’re involved in one, let me know I’d love to hear about it!

In a perfect world, I’ll get out to see some giant pumpkins at events in March or April. Fingers crossed that it works out.

What’s Your Plan?

That’s where I’m at for now. Whether you’re growing giants, minis, or something in between, I’d love to hear what you’ve got planned for this season. Drop a comment below and share your goals, challenges, or tips. Let’s make this growing season a great one!