Pumpkin

Connecticut Field ($3.50) – 110 days.  Heirloom, large orange fruits weighing from 10 to 25lbs. on vigorous growing vines.  Flesh orange-yellow color, with dry sweet flavor.

Related to the squash family.  Originally used for cooking similar to squash.  Pumpkins are now used in pies or as a ornamental crop.  Pumpkin seeds are high in protein with medicinal purposes.  For kids, the week before Halloween is spent carving their pumpkins.

(Tip) Pumpkin: In short season areas plant indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date.  Do not pull plants apart, transplant the whole clump.  In other areas seed outdoors when soil is warm and night time temperatures are above 48F.  If soil is cool pumpkin seeds will not germinate.  Soil – Pumpkins like well drained sandy loam soil enriched with compost or well rotted manure.  Add manure in the spring or apply slow release nitrogen at the the time of planting.  Pumpkins need adequate moisture when forming fruits.  Lack of moisture will produce small fruits.  Germination – 70F for 5-7 days.  Cool wet soil will cause seeds to rot.  Spacing – 4 seeds in hills, 4 feet apart in rows 8-12 feet apart.  Too close of spacing will cause small fruits.  For extra large pumpkins start indoors in large pots, transplant into manure mix in the field.  Pick all but 2 pumpkins from a plant clump.