Pumpkins in Florida

Reaching the end of the summer growing season means that long maturity crops, like pumpkins, are coming in at full force. “Pumpkins” are varieties of Cucurbita species pepo, moschata, mixta, and maxima. They typically fall somewhere between winter and summer squash in terms of rind hardness at maturity, and have coarser, stronger flavored flesh. Sometimes a pumpkin may be called “pumpkin” in one area, but “squash” in another. The varied shapes, sizes, and colors of pumpkins come from not only named varieties, but also from the fact that they easily cross-pollinate among themselves and squashes.

Using Pumpkins

Jack O’ Lanterns

The standard Halloween pumpkins have smooth, orange, and slightly ribbed skin. ‘Connecticut Field’ is the most popular variety used for carving. Its other names include: ‘Big Tom,’ ‘Canner’s Supreme,’ ‘Common Field,’ ‘Connecticut Cornfield,’ ‘Golden Marrow,’ ‘Lake Shore,’ Michigan Mammoth,’ ‘Pure Gold,’ and ‘Yankee.’ This pumpkin can be used for pies, canning, stock feed, and carving.

In Florida, ‘Howden’ and ‘Jackpot’ are best. ‘Big Max’ and ‘Big Moon’ are other well-suited big pumpkins (some can reach 200 pounds under ideal growing conditions). ‘Funny Face’ is a semi-bush plant, and therefore good for growing in small gardens. ‘Atlantic Giant’ can be considered the best show variety, reaching over 200 pounds in Florida.

Pie Pumpkins

‘Small Sugar’ is a popular variety grown in Northeastern areas of the country. Other common varieties of pie pumpkins include: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Triple Treat,’ ‘Spookie,’ ‘Winter Luxury,’ ‘Cheese,’ ‘Kentucky Field,’ and ‘Cushaw.’

The cushaws produce medium-sized elongated fruits, with necks and bulbous ends. An important cushaw variety in Florida is the ‘Seminole’ pumpkin. A staple of Florida Native Americans, these climbing pumpkins were grown around the Everglades, and are less susceptible to the pressures of heat and humidity, as well as resistant to powdery mildew. The fruit is small, has a sweet flavor and bright firm flesh, and stores well at room temperature.

Ornamentals

Varieties include: ‘Munchkin,’ ‘Sweetie Pie,’ ‘Buskin,’ ‘Minijack,’ and ‘Jack-be-Little.’ These miniature fruits are 3-4 inches in diameter.

Growing Pumpkins

Most pumpkin varieties need around 3 ½ to 4 months to reach maturity. In order to be ready for Halloween, they should be seeded no later than early July. Spring pumpkins planted in March or April can be stored for use in October and November. Early August seeding provides a fall crop for late November. In frost-free areas of the state, plants can be seeded August through March.

Pumpkins should be spaced with 6 feet in either direction, except the bush types. Plant 3-4 seeds per hill, then thin when the plants are 2-4 inches tall. Climbing varieties like Seminole can be trellised for more space. Use slings to support larger fruits.

When growing, pumpkins do well with liberal amounts of compost. One tip is to place compost under each hill before seeding. Sidedress with a handful every 3 weeks or as needed.

Like other cucurbits, pumpkins need bees for pollination. Each plant holds male and female flowers. If large size fruits are desired, keep only two fruits on the vine. Once there are two fruits the size of baseballs, remove all others as they form.

Keep pumpkins in a cool dry place for maximum storage length.