Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field — variety description

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field is an annual vegetable of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). This variety produces some of the largest pumpkins. It dates back to before 1700. and is one of the oldest pumpkin varieties. The vigorous, sprawling plants give a large yield of big, bright orange round pumpkins that are flattened at the ends. They are ideal for Halloween lanterns. Fruits average 45 cm. in diameter and weigh up to 7-12 kg. Reduce pumpkins to 1-2 per plant so they grow large.These large plants need plenty of food. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. For the biggest pumpkins, feed every week throughout the growing season with a fish- or seaweed-based fertiliser. Keep the huge plants well watered, especially in hot weather. Always water the soil and avoid any form of overhead watering other than rain. They will grow bigger if you keep only one pumpkin per plant. Pumpkins need a warm summer to perform well, and although they can be sown directly from mid-May to June, it is best to sow the seeds early and indoors from April to May, then transplant them outdoors when the risk of frost has passed. Sow in pots between March and April, and plant outdoors in May, allowing at least 4 sq. m. of space per plant. It can be sown 2 cm deep when the soil is already warm. Pumpkins are cut with a few centimetres of stalk, after which they can be left to dry in the sun for a few days. It can be stored for months without spoiling.

The pumpkin is the symbol of the autumn garden — for roasting, pies, soups, purées and long winter storage. Besides edible ones, there are also ornamental varieties for decoration.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 94%
• Seeds per packet: 5–8 pcs (1 g)
• Seed origin: USA
• Sowing: April; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field seeds are sown in April. Harvest takes place in October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 3–4 cm
• Spacing: 1–2 m
• Germination: 5–10 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow directly into warm soil (above 15 °C) at 2–3 seeds per hill, or plant transplants at 3–4 weeks. The pumpkin likes rich, fertilised soil and generous watering when the fruit sets.

Harvest and use

Harvest when the stalk dries and the skin cannot be dented by a fingernail. Leave pumpkins in the sun for 1–2 weeks to “cure” before storing.

Frequently asked questions

When should Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Connecticut Field be sown?

The recommended sowing month is April. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 5–8 seeds, pack size 1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 94%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How long does a pumpkin keep?

Well-ripened pumpkins with the whole stalk keep for 3–6 months in a dry, cool place (10–15 °C).

When is pumpkin sown?

Directly outdoors after the last frosts — late April and May; for an earlier harvest, transplants from early April.