Pumpkins & Winter Squash
Pumpkins
If you have the space in your garden, Pumpkins are a great addition. I am growing Pie Pumpkins and Jack-o-lantern pumpkins. I timed the Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin for mid-September to allow for carving and displaying. I have two Pie pumpkin harvests one mid-September and one in mid-October for festive pie making. Pumpkins store well, but have to be harvested before the frost, which is why I do not have a pie pumpkin harvest the week before Thanksgiving!
Spacing & Yield
On 30” and 4’ beds, 1 row of Pumpkins can be grown with 3’ between plants.
Expected Yield information in variety description
If you have the space in your garden, Pumpkins are a great addition. I am growing Pie Pumpkins and Jack-o-lantern pumpkins. I timed the Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin for mid-September to allow for carving and displaying. I have two Pie pumpkin harvests one mid-September and one in mid-October for festive pie making. Pumpkins store well, but have to be harvested before the frost, which is why I do not have a pie pumpkin harvest the week before Thanksgiving!
Spacing & Yield
On 30” and 4’ beds, 1 row of Pumpkins can be grown with 3’ between plants.
Expected Yield information in variety description
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Early Giant “Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin”
$0.75 / Plant 95 Days Planting (Harvest): 6/27 (9/30) Expected Yield: 1-2 pumpkins per plant “Elongated and blocky, medium-dark orange fruits are uniform in shape. Excellent size potential, fruits range 25-40 lb. avg. 30 lb. Stocky handles, light ribs, and long vine habit. Easy to grow for such a large-fruited type.” |
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New England Pie Pumpkin
$0.75 / Plant 105 Days Planting (Harvest): 5/30 (9/12), 6/27 (10/10) Expected Yield: 3-4 pumpkins per plant “The classic New England pie pumpkin. Dark orange-skinned pumpkins in a range of small sizes, typically 4-6 lb. Although not as sweet as squash, the well-colored, orange flesh is relatively starchy, dry, and string-less.” |
WINTER SQUASH
Winter Squash is one of the best storage crops you can ask for beginner home farmers. While they benefit from temperature controlled areas, they store particularly long (except Delicata) in normal pantry conditions. Acorns are the only bush variety but Butterscotch Butternut Squash which has shorter vines than Waltham. The other squashes are space hogs, so be prepared.
Spacing & Yield
On 30” & 4’ beds, 1 row of Acorn and Delicatas can be planted, with 2’ between plants.
On 30” & 4’ beds, 1 row of Butternut and Spaghetti squash can be planted, with 3’ between plants.
Yield information can be found at each squash
Winter Squash is one of the best storage crops you can ask for beginner home farmers. While they benefit from temperature controlled areas, they store particularly long (except Delicata) in normal pantry conditions. Acorns are the only bush variety but Butterscotch Butternut Squash which has shorter vines than Waltham. The other squashes are space hogs, so be prepared.
Spacing & Yield
On 30” & 4’ beds, 1 row of Acorn and Delicatas can be planted, with 2’ between plants.
On 30” & 4’ beds, 1 row of Butternut and Spaghetti squash can be planted, with 3’ between plants.
Yield information can be found at each squash
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Delicata Squash
$0.75 / Plant 100 Days Planting (Harvest): 5/30 (9/7) Expect yields of 5-7 squash per plant “Unique, 7-9" long, 3" wide, 1½-2 #, cream-colored fruits with dark green longitudinal stripes and flecks. Very sweet, excellent for stuffing and baking, even right at maturity. This beautiful strain has gained a nice following in the specialty produce trade.” |
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Honey Bear Acorn Squash
$0.75 / Plant 85 Days Planting (Harvest): 5/30 (8/23), 6/27 (9/20) Expect yields of 3-4 squash per plant “Small to medium-sized acorn fruits are just the right size for single servings when halved. Weighing just 1-1 ¼#. Honey Bear has a deliciously starchy and sweet flavor. Promising for direct marketing by name. Compact bush plant.” |
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Waltham Butternut
$0.75 / Plant 105 Days Planting (Harvest): 5/30 (9/12) Expected Yield: 4-5 squash per plant “The standard butternut. Larger fruits with small seed cavities and thick, straight, cylindrical necks. Fruits avg. 9" long, avg. 4-5 lb. Flesh has smooth texture and sweet flavor, particularly after 2 months of storage.” |
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Butterscotch Butternut
$0.75 / Plant 100 Days Planting (Harvest): 5/30 (9/7) Expected Yield: 3-4 squash per plant “This AAS Award Winner is a delicious, single-serving mini butternut. Unusually rich and sweet flavor due to higher sugar content than other butternut types. Small 1-2 #. fruits mature early and can be consumed at maturity. Limited storage, best up to 3 months after maturity. Short, space-saving vines.” |
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Spaghetti Squash
$0.75 / Plant 85 Days Planting (Harvest): 5/30 (8/23) Expected Yield: 4-6 squash per plant “Mid-sized spaghetti squash. Pinnacle has slightly sweet, nutty flavor, and is a favorite in our taste tests. Average 3# per squash.” |