Pumpkin – Sugar Pie

Rather small in size, the Sugar Pie pumpkin is 15 to 20 cm in diameter and weighs 3 to 4 kg when ripe. The fruit is round and slightly flattened. The flesh is orange and sweet. Despite its name, which makes you want to cook pumpkin pies, it is versatile in the kitchen and does not disappoint in purees, soups or simply roasted in the oven. 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: 90 to 110 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