A sweet winter pumpkin ideal for pies
The Heirloom Long Pie Pumpkin is a variety of Cucurbita pepo and looks more like an overgrown, orange courgette than a “normal” pumpkin. It is said to be originally from São Jorge Island in the Azores in the early 1830s. In the early days, it was known simply as the Nantucket pumpkin. It was well suited to the maritime climate of coastal New England and, over the years, made its way north to Maine. The long pie pumpkin has smooth skin and faint ribbing. In the field, it is dark green with an orange spot at the point where it rests on the ground. As it ripens, the whole fruit turns orange. This open-pollinated variety has vigorous wines and weight of 2-3.5 kg, but can get larger. This variety can be left on the vine quite late into the fall season, as it will tolerate one or two light frosts. Once harvested, the pumpkins should be stored in cool conditions to allow their texture and flavor to develop fully. The flesh of this variety is meaty and fine textured, with virtually no strings and a deep, sweet flavor. Fabulous winter pumpkin.
Scientific Name: Cucurbita pepo
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 21C
Germination time in days: 7-14 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 100 Days
Sunlight: Full Sun or partial shade
Soil requirement: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil
Sowing and cultivation: Seed Sowing Depth: 1.5-3 cm deep. Starting Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Sow 2-3 seeds per cells/pots, thin to the strongest seedling. Transplant after last frost when the soil warms to 21C. Space 90-120 cm apart, in rows 120-130 cm apart.Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost when the soil reaches at least 21C. Sow 2-3 seeds per space/hill, 36-48” apart, in rows 48-60” apart.How much does a packet plant: 12-15 foot single row, 4-5 hills. Harvest green with an orange spot on the bottom, as Long Pie ripens in storage Leave a few inches of the stem on for best storage
