SMALL SUGAR
Product Description:
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Key Features:
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Customer Reviews
I started 6 plants out in pots, only having to replant one of them that didn't germinate. I was extremely worried about transplant shock when I moved them outdoors into the full sun, so I made sure to give them some shade the first few days after transplanting. I don't think they needed it honestly, because the moment I took the shade cloth away they took off and grew vigorously throughout the summer. I grew them on a arched cattle panel trellis, which they climbed (with some direction) and even found their way to the grass on the other side.. outside of my garden space. I grew them alongside oregano, marigold, and comfrey flowers which brought plenty of pollinators to the area. I did have to support some of the bigger pumpkins using pantyhose so they didn't pull the vine down.
Eventually, as with all of my plants (and even some of my weeds) this year, they did start to form powdery mildew. It was very fast spreading and coated the leaves with a thick layer of mildew, which only got worse with my attempts to kill or remove it. The vines outgrew the mildew just long enough for the squash to ripen, and quickly died off fully when the temperatures dropped. From 6 plants I probably got 40-60 pumpkins, which so far has given me about 2 gallon sized freezer bags worth of puree to use for baking later on, plus the pumpkins I am saving for a Thanksgiving pie. They are storing well so far, but due to the damp conditions of my basement some have started to rot.
Will definitely be growing these again, though perhaps in lesser quantity so I don't spend 10+ hours baking, scooping, and freezing them in the fall. I think they'd make a good weed suppression since they grow so quickly and vigorously, managing to choke out many smaller less established plants.
These pie pumpkins have done wonderfully in my high-elevation garden with a short season and cool nights. Due to a lack of bugs here :) I need to hand-pollinate them, but once they get hitched they do very well. I've grown these the last 3 years. Most of the pumpkins are mature and ready to harvest before it freezes, 100-105 days after transplanting outdoors. This year I grew 3 plants and harvested 11 pumpkins of various sizes, some are large enough for 2 or more pies. Most of these will fit nicely in the Instant Pot for cooking.
The seeds took off very fast, and the plant is beautiful with tons of flowers.
There are a lot of male flowers. I just learned how to hand pollinate, so I'll be looking for
more female flowers to pollinate. A bee did the job on one, and it's very cute.
Planted these late in western Washington and they thrived in this dry summer. 4 fruit per vine and all were nice form and color. Pumpkin pie was the star at the Thanksgiving table. Nice flavor and smooth texture. Snacked on roasted seeds all day.
| Soil Temp for Germ | 65–85°F |
| Seed Depth | 1" |
| Days to Emergence | 5–10 |
| Soil Temp for Transp | 60°F |
| Plant Spacing | 3–4' |
| Row Spacing | 4–6' |
| Fertilizer Needs | High |
| Minimum Germination | 75% |
| Seeds per Gram | Listed per variety |
| Seed Life | 3 years |
Cucurbita spp. This traditional ornament of the autumn harvest is good for much more than jack-o-lanterns and pies. High in fiber and essential minerals, their colorful orange flesh signifies an abundance of the antioxidant beta-carotene.
Days to maturity are calculated from date of direct seeding.
Culture
• Pumpkins require uniform irrigation totaling 15-20 inches of water during the growing season
• Bee attractant flowers or beehives will help yields — misshapen or non-developing fruit is often the result of poor pollination
Direct Sowing
• Plant after frost danger when soil warms to 65°F
• Work in shovelful of compost and 1/2 cup TSC's Complete fertilizer into hill
• Keep soil evenly moist but not wet as too much moisture causes seed to rot
• Bush varieties: sow 3-4 feet apart
• Vining varieties: sow 4-5 feet apart
Transplanting
• Start indoors 3-4 weeks prior to anticipated transplant date in 4 inch pots
• Work in shovelful of compost and 1/2 cup TSC's Complete fertilizer into hill
• Transplant carefully as to not disturb roots
Pests & Diseases
• Common pests: Cucumber beetles and squash bugs, stink bugs
• Pest control: Pyrethrin
• Common diseases: Various wilts, leaf spots mildews, and various viral diseases
• Disease prevention: 3-4 year crop rotation, and fungicide applications
Harvest & Storage
• Leave on vine until fully mature, rinds should be firm
• Pumpkins can tolerate a light frost, but must be protected from a hard frost
• Dry gourds: Wash gently in a solution of 10 parts water and 1 part bleach, carefully removing all dirt, then store in a warm, dry location
• Store at 55-70°F and 70% relative humidity
KEY TO PUMPKIN DISEASE RESISTANCE AND TOLERANCE
HR indicates high resistance.
IR indicates intermediate resistance.
PM | Powdery Mildew