Pumpkin – Jack’O Lantern

Another popular Halloween variety, the Jack ‘O Lantern has a relatively easy-to-cut rind. Its pale orange flesh is sweet and is well suited for pies and preserves. Fruit weighs 5 to 8 kg and measures 20 to 25 cm in length and 20 to 25 cm in diameter. Good shelf life.

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 2.5 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 21 to 32ºC

time for germination: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

indoor sowing 3 to 4 weeks before the last date in your area OR

direct sowing after any risk of frost, when the soil is warm (16ºC and +)

Sowing technique: in pocket

Inside the same hole, sow 3 to 5 seeds spaced 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep all the plants if space is available or keep only the best plants.

for indoor seedlings: transplant into individual containers while waiting for transplanting in the garden OR

for direct seedlings: transplant to their final location in the garden

Transplanting outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

When all risk of frost is removed and the air is warmed

Distance in the garden*:

between plants: 90 cm

between rows: 120 cm

Plant height: 50 cm

Soil: rich, moist and well drained

Exposure: full sun

Maturation: 80 to 120 days. The pumpkin is ready when its color is fixed and the stem starts to dry. Harvest the fruit keeping a 5 cm stem. Dry in the garden for a week if the weather is dry or store under cover in a cool, dry place.

Specificity: *Pumpkin plants have large leaves and creeping stems that take up a lot of space in the garden.

For indoor planting: plant seeds preferably in peat pots to avoid disturbing the roots when transplanting to the garden.

QUICK STATS

Number of seeds: ±20

Difficulty: Easy

Type: Heirloom / Open pollinated

Lifecycle:Annual

Additional information

Weight            3.5 g

Difficulty         

Easy

Sowing          

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle        

Annual

Root cellar     

Yes

Sowing season        

Spring, Summer