Category: Pumpkins

Pumpkin species

Pumpkin species belong to the genus Cucurbita. There are five species that are commonly referred to as pumpkins: Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita argyrosperma, and Cucurbita ficifolia. The word “pumpkin” is a vernacular term commonly referring to a round-shaped winter squash. Introduction to pumpkin species Pumpkins are rounded winter squash fruits from the…
Moranga pumpkin

Moranga pumpkins are best known for their pinky-orange peel color, but this cultivar is also a gourmet culinary variety. Their flattened shape with deep ribs down the side makes them perfect for fall decor that can transition into a cozy kitchen ingredient in the wintertime. Introduction to the Moranga pumpkin The Moranga pumpkin is a…
Marina di Chioggia pumpkin

The Marina di Chioggia pumpkin is an Italian heirloom variety known for its wrinkled dark green peel and richly flavored golden flesh. These pumpkins are prized for both fall decor and for culinary purposes such as baking, grilling, soups, and pasta dishes. Introduction to the Marina di Chioggia pumpkin The Marina di Chioggia pumpkin is…
Queensland Blue pumpkin

The Queensland Blue pumpkin is a specialty pumpkin variety known for its striking slate-like blue-green peel color and its excellent culinary adaptability. Queensland Blue is a cultivar of Cucurbita maxima, and it is botanically related to both the Hubbard squash and the gourmet Japanese Kabocha squash. Introduction to the Queensland Blue pumpkin The Queensland Blue…
How many pumpkins per plant?

Average pumpkin plants typically produce 3-5 medium-sized pumpkins per plant, while smaller varieties produce about ten fruits each. Large pumpkin varieties focus all their energy on one or two fruits at a time. While there is no way to make your pumpkin plant produce more than it naturally would for the variety, the proper care…
How to grow pumpkins

Grow your own pumpkins this season with our easy-to-follow guide! Learn how to prepare the soil, plant, water, fertilize, control pests and harvest your pumpkins.
Where to buy pumpkin seeds

Wondering where to buy pumpkin seeds to plant in your vegetable garden? If you’re hoping to grow your own jack-o-lanterns or specialty pumpkins, here are some of the best seed companies to check for your chosen varieties. 1. True Leaf Market True Leaf Market is perhaps my favorite seed company for buying pumpkin seeds. This…
How to save pumpkin seeds

Wondering how to save pumpkin seeds to plant next spring? Fortunately, these seeds are simple to save. To save pumpkin seeds, start by pollinating blossoms by hand, so the plants grow true-to-type pumpkin seeds. For genetic diversity, you’ll want to collect ripe hand-pollinated pumpkins from 6-12 (or more) plants of the same variety. Slice into…
15 companion plants for pumpkins

Plants make wonderful companion plants for a variety of reasons. There are also quite a few plants that can help you grow the best pumpkin crop possible! Great companion plants for pumpkins include corn, peas, melons, radish, lettuce, marigold, nasturtium, sunflowers, and borage. These plants have a host of benefits, including attracting beneficial pollinators to…
Ornamental pumpkins

What is fall without ornamental pumpkins!? A gorgeous autumn display of pretty pumpkins goes a long way towards creating that cozy fall feeling. While there are endless different types of pumpkins, a few varieties stand out as stunning ornamental pumpkins to add to your seasonal display this fall. Here are 7 of the top varieties…
Decorative pumpkins

Autumn is here! A festive fall display isn’t complete without some gorgeous pumpkins. Decorative pumpkins are ornamental Cucurbita cultivars used for fall decor. While some are carved, others are displayed whole – often on the front porch, mantle, or dining table. Some popular decorative pumpkin varieties include Cinderella, Jarrahdale, and French Fairytale pumpkins. jewelry Read…
Mini pumpkins

A festive fall display isn’t complete without some adorable mini pumpkins in the mix! Mini pumpkins are small, round winter squash typically used for autumn decor and fall crafts. Most mini pumpkins are in the range of 3″ wide to 6″ wide, weighing a few ounces to 2 pounds each. These tiny pumpkins are perfect…
23+ best pumpkins for pie

The best pumpkin pie demands the best pumpkin purée – and the best pumpkin purée needs the absolute best gourmet pumpkins. The best pumpkins for pie are heirloom culinary varieties with dense, sweet flesh that’s not watery or stringy. Some of the best pumpkin for making pumpkin pie include The best pumpkins for pie are…
20+ yellow pumpkins

Yellow pumpkins are select cultivars of round Curcubita with yellow rinds. Yellow pumpkins range from bright and cheery modern hybrids like Mellow Yellow pumpkin and Sunlight pumpkin to dusky tan heirlooms like Seminole pumpkins and Long Island Cheese pumpkins. There are mini types and huge varieties to choose from! 1. Mellow Yellow pumpkin Mellow Yellow…
30+ green pumpkins

A great fall festive display isn’t complete without a few specialty pumpkins – especially some green pumpkins to add a nice contrast to the more-typical orange fruits. Green Pumpkins are select cultivars of round Curcubita winter squash with green-colored skin. Green Pumpkins range from dusky-green heirlooms like Triamble Pumpkins and Kabocha Pumpkins, warted green cultivars…
20+ blue pumpkins

Blue pumpkins are select cultivars of round Curcubita winter squash with naturally blue-colored rinds. Popular varieties include the Jarrahdale Pumpkin and the Queensland Blue Pumpkin – both heirlooms from Australia. Modern blue pumpkin introductions include the hybrid Blue Doll pumpkin and the Blue Moon pumpkin. Blue pumpkins are sought after not only for their highly…
30+ white pumpkins

White pumpkins are Cucurbita winter squash varieties with naturally white-color rinds. Some white pumpkin cultivars are mini-sized, while others can make giant Jack-O-Lanterns! Here are 30+ of the most popular white pumpkin varieties. 1. Lumina pumpkin Lumina Pumpkins are medium-sized white pumpkins. These beauties weigh 10-12 pounds each and make fantastic Jack-O-Lanterns. These round pumpkins…
15+ black pumpkins

Looking for some natural black pumpkins for your autumn celebrations? Black pumpkins are select Cucurbita winter squash varieties with a green-black rind color. Some of these black pumpkin cultivars are Japanese heirlooms, while others are modern hybrid varieties. Some are great for culinary applications, while others make beautiful dark autumnal decorations. Read on to learn…
20+ heirloom pumpkins

Heirloom pumpkins are old cultivated varieties of winter squash that tend to have an elegant appearance and flesh that is well-suited to cooking. Heirloom pumpkins come in many colors, although shades are more muted than modern carving-type pumpkins. Many popular heirloom pumpkin varieties have been cultivated for over a hundred years, with seeds passed down…
Blue Doll pumpkin

Blue Doll Pumpkins are one of the best-known cultivars of pumpkin with a blue rind. The Blue Doll pumpkin is a medium-large, hybrid pumpkin cultivar that features blue skin with deep side ribbing. The pumpkins reach about 15-20 pounds per fruit, with a squat appearance. The pumpkin has a deep orange, sweet flesh, which is…
Big Max pumpkin

The Big Max Pumpkin is a giant pumpkin cultivar with bright orange skin and fine-grained, yellow-orange flesh. They often reach over 100 pounds and have a more rounded shape than some of the blob-like giants. This variety is also easier to grow and more suited to culinary use than many other types of big pumpkins.…
Dickinson pumpkin

The Dickinson pumpkin is an elongated American heirloom winter squash with dense flesh. These pumpkins have a tan-colored rind with slight ribbing and weigh 10-14 pounds each. They are commonly grown in Illinois, as the plants thrive in temperatures around 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. They are well known as an excellent variety for making pumpkin pie.…
Long Island Cheese pumpkin

The Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is one of the most popular heirloom pumpkins. But what makes this pumpkin so likable? Long Island Cheese pumpkin is a variety of heirloom squash favored for its smooth, stringless flesh and rich flavor. They are also very pretty and make wonderful ornamental pumpkins for fall displays. This pumpkin has…
Fairytale pumpkin

What are Fairytale Pumpkins, and what makes them different from other pumpkin types? The Fairytale pumpkin, also known as Musquée de Provence, is a medium-large tan-colored French heirloom pumpkin cultivar. These pumpkins have deep ribs all around the pumpkin, giving them a very full appearance. Fairytale Pumpkins are great for baking because of the fine-grained…