Search

Pumpkin - Howden

SKU: PU31503A
CA$3.90
CA$3.90
Unavailable
per item
Approximately 5-7 seeds per gram
Cucurbita pepo
Lot# PU31503
​The Howden Pumpkin strain is grown from the John Howden's original seed stock.  These pumpkins are uniform, deep orange and easily average 11 kg (25 pounds) in weight. The deeply rounded pumpkins have solid, thick flesh and are a good storing pumpkin.  They are generally well rounded and tend to stand well on their slightly flattened bottoms. Vines can spread between 5.4-7.3m (18-24’) long and grow approximately 30-50cm (12-20”) tall.  Most pumpkins, even the smaller heirloom pumpkins need a lot of room to grow.
Planting Instructions:  
  • Start indoors from mid-late April, or direct sow outside in May, when the last chance of frost has passed in your area. Sow the seeds 2-3 cm (1”) deep, and maintain temperature around 18°C (65°F). The soil temperature should be around 15°C (60°F). Sow 2-3 seeds per hill, or in small pots, and keep the strongest 2 seedlings. Germination takes about 7-14 days, depending on the soil temperature.  Transplant the plants into bigger pots when large enough to handle and keep them inside the greenhouse.  Gradually acclimatize the plants before planting outside. Space hills or transplants: 3-5m (12-15’) between the plants.  If you have more space, you can increase distance from plants. Pumpkin plants prefer sunny locations and very rich soil.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.5-6.8.
  • Planting Depth:  Sow Pumpkin seeds 2-3 cm (1”) deep.
  • Germination:  6-14 days.
  • Height at Maturity: 30-50 cm (12-20”) tall.  Spread:  The vines can grow 5.4-7.3m (18-24’) long.
  • Days to Maturity:   105-115 days for maturity.  
  • Watering:   Howden pumpkins require a moderate to heavy amount of water.  An inch of water a week ensures good growth, whether vegetables are grown in single or wide rows.  Keep soil moist but not saturated. The amount of rain that falls during the week affects how much you should water your garden. The trick is to only water pumpkins when they require it. Check the soil moisture levels with a trowel or a hoe and as long as you can see the moisture and your plant looks happy, you do not need to water. When the soil is starting to dry out, or the plant starts to look a bit droopy, give it a long deep drink.  Deep watering is best and infrequent watering results in a healthier plant.  It is important to not get water on any of the leaves.  Use drip irrigation if available, and water in the morning instead of late in the evening.  This simple technique will help prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
  • Sun/Shade:  Full Sun    
  • Spacing after Thinning:   Thinning is generally not required for 2-3 plants per hill, but you can thin to the strongest plant in every hill every 3-5m (12-15’).  Rows should be planted 3-5m (12-15’) apart just to give enough room to negotiate through the ‘pumpkin patch’, if you have the room.  
Additional Information
Open pollinated-untreated seeds.  After 3-5 fruits are formed, the growing tips can be pinched out to encourage fruit development, ripening on the vine, and allow the pumpkins to mature outside. This will increase storage potential. Store the pumpkins and squash at about 10°C (50°F). Pumpkins, when handled and stored properly can be kept for a long time.  Pumpkins require a lot of water.  The trick is to only water pumpkins when they require it. Check the soil moisture levels with a trowel or a hoe and as long as you can see the moisture and your plant looks happy, you do not need to water. When the soil is starting to dry out, or the plant starts to look a bit droopy, give it a long deep drink.  Deep watering is best and infrequent watering results in a healthier plant.  It is important to not get water on any of the leaves.  Use drip irrigation if available, and water in the morning instead of late in the evening.  This simple technique will help prevent fungal diseases. When your pumpkins begin to change their color to orange, gradually decrease the amount of water. Your pumpkins will store longer if you cut off water 7 - 10 days before you harvest.