🎃 Pumpkins
🍴 Overview
Crop: Pumpkins
Common Varieties in OK: ‘Jack O’ Lantern’, ‘Howden’, ‘Connecticut Field’, ‘Sugar Pie’, ‘Big Max’
Planting Season: Late April to early June in Oklahoma
Days to Maturity: 90–120 days
🎨 Trait Legend
🟨 Warm-season – Requires warm soil and long growing season
🌱 Fruiting crop – Grown for mature fruit
☀️ Full sun – Needs 6–8+ hours daily
🚫 No replant – One big push per season
📏 Spacing & Soil
Row Spacing: 6–10 feet
Plant Spacing: 3–5 feet per hill or mound
Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil with compost; pH 6.0–6.8
Fertilizer: High nitrogen early, then switch to phosphorus and potassium when vines start to run
🌱 Cultivars We Recommend
‘Jack O’ Lantern’ 🟨
Perfect size for carving. Reliable and early.
‘Howden’ 🟨
Large, sturdy pumpkins. Long handles, deep orange color.
‘Sugar Pie’ 🟨
Small, sweet pumpkins. Great for baking.
‘Connecticut Field’ 🟨
Historic heirloom. Big, round, classic.
‘Big Max’ 🟨
For bragging rights — can reach over 100 lbs.
🧠 Tips
Start in mounds to improve drainage and soil warmth
Give them space — vines spread 10+ feet
Mulch to suppress weeds and keep fruit off damp soil
Hand-pollinate early in the season to improve yields
Harvest when stems are dry and pumpkin skin resists fingernail pressure