Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo 'Connecticut Field'
vegetableThe archetypal fall and Halloween carving pumpkin. Large round orange fruits average 15 to 25 pounds with moderately sweet stringy flesh that is edible for pies and soups. Growing a classic pumpkin is a bucket-list garden experience and a practical source of fall decor.
☀️
Sun
full sun
💧
Water
Every 3 days
🌾
Harvest
~110 days
📊
Difficulty
easy
🌱
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
↔️
Spacing
4-6 ft between plants
⬇️
Planting Depth
1 in
🧪
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting with compost; heavy feeder — side-dress with balanced fertilizer when vines extend 2 feet; again when fruits form
Fertilizer
Rich compost at planting; balanced 10-10-10; foliar spray of diluted fish emulsion monthly
🌱 Growing Guide
Sow seeds directly after last frost or transplant 3-week-old starts when soil reaches 65 F. Give generous space — vines can spread 10 to 15 feet. In small gardens, train vines along a fence. Hand-pollinate if fruit sets are poor. Allow one or two fruits per vine for the largest size. Stop watering once fruits begin to turn orange to toughen skin.
Planting Calendar
Sign in to personalize →🌱
Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
🌿
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
🌾
Projected first harvest
Aug 17
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Corn — Three Sisters companion — provides shade and structure
- Beans — Nitrogen fixing; classic three sisters combination
- Nasturtium — Aphid trap crop; deters squash bugs at border
- Marigold — General pest deterrence and nematode suppression
❌ Keep away from
Potato
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Plant after mid-June in the North; apply Bt to stem base; wrap stem base in row cover fabric
Handpick adults and bronze egg masses from leaf undersides weekly; kaolin clay spray
Row cover early; beneficial nematodes in soil; pyrethrin spray as last resort
Late-season mildew is common and usually tolerated; apply neem oil or sulfur at first sign if fruit not yet mature
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest when fully orange and the rind is hard enough to resist a fingernail. The stem should be dry and corky. Cut with 2 to 3 inches of stem attached to improve storage life. Cure at 80 to 85 F for 10 days before storing at 50 to 55 F. Well-cured pumpkins last 2 to 3 months.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Excellent source of beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Seeds are high in zinc, magnesium, and plant-based protein when roasted.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.