Pumpkin - Lady Godiva

SKU:
CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
Unavailable
Approximately 7-8 seeds per gram
Cucurbita pepo
Lot# PU31519
​Lady Godiva is one of the most popular naked-seeded pumpkin varieties that produce seeds without the hard shell. Most pumpkin and squash seeds develop a hard shell or hull that has to be removed for eating. A single plant will produce 12-15 yellow to orange 21 cm x 21 cm (8x8”) ball or oblong sized fruits that are striped with mottled green patches.  The flesh is particularly stringy and not much good for eating. However, inside each pumpkin is up to one pound of green seeds. Pumpkin seeds contain manganese, tryptophan, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, protein, zinc, and iron and have many health benefits.  Lady Godiva seeds can be roasted, dried and used on salads or just for snacking.  They have a nutty, delicious flavor. It is difficult to open the mature pumpkins as the shells become very hard.
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 1.2-1.8m (4-6’) long.
  • Days to Maturity:   100-115 days for maturity.  
  • Watering:   Lady Godiva 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 off 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.