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Finding the right type of pumpkin to grow can be overwhelming with all the many varieties available. However, once you realize that each variety has a set of characteristics that make it good for a specific purpose, it gets much easier. You'll discover that the choosing the right pumpkin variety is simply a matter of a little pumpkin research.
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Choosing a Pumpkin Tips
- Miniature pumpkins are grown for decoration.
- Naked seeded pumpkins have edible seeds.
- Not all pumpkins are orange.
- Some varieties of pumpkin are better for cooking than others.
- Jumbo pumpkins can weigh 200 pounds or more.
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Related Mahalo Pages
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Page revenue is subject to change as we obtain data from our partners
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How To Choose The Right Pumpkin Variety To Grow
This New Mexico State University video discusses a trial run by the University that was designed to determine the best variety of pumpkin to grow in a Mexico. As part of the video, the expert discusses four requirements that consumers look for in pumpkins used as Jack O Lanterns. The pumpkin should have a uniform orange color, stand upright on a flat bottom, have a strong stem, and weigh 16-24 pounds. -
Introduction
- When most people hear the word pumpkin, they think of a round or oblong, orange fruit that comes out only in October. However, pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some of them make great Jack O'Lanterns, others produce edible seeds while others are great for baking and cooking. If you have decided you want to grow pumpkins in your next garden, but are unclear on what type you should plant, then it's time to become more familiar with the wide varieties of pumpkins available.
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Miniature Pumpkins
- Miniature pumpkins are all varieties of C. pepo and will weigh up to a pound. Most miniature varieties are grown for decoration and are not usually used in pies or other products. They should be planted one inch deep, with two to three seeds every two feet apart. Rows need to be six to eight feet apart.University of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow: Pumpkins
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Baby Boo
Size: 1/4 pound Color: White Harvest Time: 100 days Notes: Plant later than Jack-Be-Quick.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Munchkin
Size: 1/4 pound Color: Medium light orange Harvest Time: 85 to 90 days Shape: Flat and ribbed Notes: Uniform size.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Small Pumpkins
- Small pumpkins weigh between two to eight pounds. Small pumpkins are grown for a variety of reasons including for baking, decoration and carving. If you enjoy eating pumpkin seeds, make sure you grow one of the naked-seeded varieties. Plant two feet apart with four to six feet between rows.Virginia Cooperative Extension: Specialty Crop Profile: Pumpkins
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Baby Pam
Size: 5 to 6 pounds Color: Deep orange Harvest Time: 100 days Shape: Uniform Notes: High yield, great for pies.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Oz
Size: 3 to 5 pounds Color: Bright orange Harvest Time: 90 to 95 days Stem: Dark green Notes: Good yield.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Peek-A-Boo
Size: 3.5 to 4 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 90 days Stem: Long dark green Notes: Good for cooking and baking.Pumpkin Growing Tips: What Exactly is a Pumpkin? -
Small Sugar or New England Pie
Size: 5 to 8 pounds Color: Bright orange Harvest Time: 100 days Notes: Standard pie typeUniversity of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow: Pumpkins -
Spooktacular
Size: 3 to 5 pounds Color: Bright orange Harvest Time: 85 days Notes: Hybrid, good for Jack O'Lanterns.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Sugar Treat
Size: 3 pounds Color: Bright orange Harvest Time: 90 days Notes: Hybrid, good for cooking and baking.Pumpkin Growing Tips: What Exactly is a Pumpkin? -
Trickster
Size: 2 to 3 pounds Color: Deep Orange Harvest Time: 90 days Notes: High yields.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Tricky Jack
Size: 3 to 8 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 80 to 85 days Seeds: Naked seeded Notes: Hybrid, bush type, good for Jack O'Lanterns or baking.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Winter Luxury
Size: 6 pounds Color: Deep orange Harvest Time: 100 days Notes: Old variety, good for cooking.University of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow: Pumpkins -
Medium Pumpkins
- Medium pumpkins weigh between 8 to 15 pounds. Most pumpkins that fit in this category are either grown to use in cooking or as Jack O'Lanterns on Halloween. These pumpkins should be planted three feet apart with four to six feet between rows.Virginia Cooperative Extension: Specialty Crop Profile: Pumpkins
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Autumn Gold
Size: 10 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 90 days Notes: Hybrid, starts out yellow then turns orange.University of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow: Pumpkins -
Buckskin
Size: 12 pounds Color: Buff Harvest Time: 110 days Shape: Similar to an acorn Notes: used commercially in canned pumpkin.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Ghost Rider
Size: 10 to 12 pounds Color: Dark orange Harvest Time: 115 days Handle: Dark green Notes: Connecticut Field type.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Harvest Moon
Size: 10 to 18 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 100 days Notes: Hybrid, good for Jack O'Lanterns.Pumpkin Growing Tips: What Exactly is a Pumpkin? -
Jack O'Lantern
Size: 10 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 100 days Shape: Round Notes: Thick yellow flesh, smooth skin, good for Jack O'Lanterns.Pumpkin Growing Tips: What Exactly is a Pumpkin? -
Jackpot
Size: 10 to 18 pounds Color: Glossy orange yellow Harvest Time: 100 days Notes: Good for pies and Jack-O'-Lanterns, highly productive vines.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Spirit
Size: 10 to 12 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 90 to 100 days Type: Hybrid, good for pies and carving.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Wizard
Size: 10 to 14 pounds Color: Dark orange Harvest Time: 120 days or more Shape: Light ribbing Notes: Smooth textured skin, good yield.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Large Pumpkins
- Large pumpkins weigh between 15 to 25 pounds. Most pumpkins that fit in this category are either grown to use in cooking or as Jack O'Lanterns on Halloween. They need quite a bit of space to grow and should be planted four feet apart with six to seven feet between rows. Semi-bush plants can be planted closer together.Virginia Cooperative Extension: Specialty Crop Profile: Pumpkins
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Aspen
Size: 18 to 20 pounds Color: Deep orange Harvest Time: 90 days Type: Semi-bush Notes: Hybrid, stores and ships well.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Big Autumn
Size: 15 to 20 pounds Color: Yellow Harvest Time: 90 days Type: Medium vine Notes: A larger brother of Autumn Gold.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Gold Strike
Size: 15 to 22 pounds Color: Dark golden color Harvest Time: 100 to 105 days Type: Vine Notes: Large yields, handles stress conditions.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Half Moon
Size: 14 to 18 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 115 days Type: Large vine Notes: Thick flesh, strong handles.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Extra Large Pumpkins
- Extra large pumpkins weigh between 20 to 40 pounds. They are not quite as large as jumbo varieties. Most of these varieties are grown for use as Jack O'Lanterns, especially the Howden (Harris Moran) variety. These pumpkins should be planted four feet apart with seven to nine feet between rows. Semi-bush plants can be planted closer together.Virginia Cooperative Extension: Specialty Crop Profile: Pumpkins
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Appalacian
Size: 25 pounds Color: Dark orange Harvest Time: 90 days Type: Semi-bush Notes: Hybrid, high yields and excellent handles.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Connecticut Field
Size: 20 to 25 pounds Color: Orange Harvest Time: 115 days Type: Large vine Notes: Used for canning, carving and stock feed.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Gold Rush
Size: 30 to 40 pounds Color: Deep orange Harvest Time: 100 to 120 days Type: Vine Notes: Globe shaped; large, thick handles.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Howden or Harris Moran
Size: 20 pounds Color: Dark orange Harvest Time: 105 days Type: Vine Notes: Industry standard for Jack O'Lanterns.University of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow: Pumpkins -
Jumpin' Jack
Size: 20 to 40 pounds Color: Deep orange Harvest Time: 100 to 120 days Type: Large vine Notes: Rough skin, taller than wide.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Mammoth Gold
Size: 20 to 40 pounds Color: Medium orange Harvest Time: 105 days Type: Vine Notes: Round, smooth skin, faintly ribbed, used for novelty and pies.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Pankow's Field
Size: 20 to 30 pounds Color: Deep orange Harvest Time: 120 days or more Notes: Thick flesh, similar to Connecticut field.North Carolina State University: Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America -
Rouge Vif d'Estampes or Cinderella
Size: 20 pounds Color: Deep reddish orange Harvest Time: 105 days Type: Bush Notes: Prototype for Cinderella's carriage pumpkin.University of Illinois Extension: Watch Your Garden Grow: Pumpkins -
Jumbo Pumpkins
- Jumbo pumpkins weigh at least 30 pounds and can grow to sizes of 100 more. These pumpkins are often grown strictly for their size, and are not commonly used for baking or cooking. They will all take 120 days or more to harvest and grow on large vines. These pumpkins should be planted five to six feet apart with 10 to 12 feet between rows or more.Virginia Cooperative Extension: Specialty Crop Profile: Pumpkins
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Atlantic Giant
Size: 50 to 900 pounds Color: Pale orange Notes: Also known as Dill's Atlantic Giant, most giant content pumpkins are this variety.North Carolina State University: [ Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America] -
Big Max
Size: 30 to 100 pounds Color: Orange Notes: Large carver.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Big Moon
Size: 40 to 200 pounds Color: Orange Notes: Show pumpkin.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Prizewinner
Size: 50 to 200 pounds Color: Orange Notes: Most uniform in size, better shape and color than Atlantic Giant.The Pumpkin Patch: Pumpkin Varieties -
Conclusion
- After looking at so many varieties of pumpkins, you may find it hard to pick just one. Of course, it is perfectly acceptable to plant more than one. In fact, if you plant enough pumpkins, you may find your garden is good enough to entice the Great Pumpkin to it this Halloween. However, to do this, you will need to know how to grow the best pumpkins.
- For more information, check out Mahalo's How to Grow Pumpkins.
