Decorative And Culinary Pumpkin
Blue Prince is an F1 hybrid pumpkin that earned the 2020 AAS (All-America Selections) award for good reason: it combines earlier maturity than standard pumpkins with outstanding yield, uniformity, and flavor. Grown as an annual in zones 3 through 13, this vigorous vining plant produces substantial fruit in just 110 to 119 days, making it one of the most reliable choices for gardeners with shorter growing seasons. The plants reach 18 to 24 inches in mature height and thrive in full sun, rewarding careful spacing with pumpkins that consistently impress on both the harvest scale and the dinner table.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-13
24in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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Blue Prince earned its AAS Winner status by outperforming comparable varieties across every meaningful metric: it matures earlier than most, yields generously, and produces uniformly sized, beautifully colored fruit with excellent taste and texture. Vigorous trailing vines do the heavy lifting for you, and the F1 hybrid genetics ensure predictable results from seed to harvest. For gardeners balancing ambition with reality, this pumpkin delivers trophy-quality fruit without requiring expert technique.
As a true edible pumpkin bred for superior taste and texture, Blue Prince excels in cooking applications far beyond simple jack-o'-lantern decoration. Its excellent flavor profile makes it well suited for pies, soups, roasted preparations, and any recipe calling for quality pumpkin flesh. The AAS award specifically recognized its culinary virtues, distinguishing it from ornamental varieties.
Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your anticipated last spring frost date. Sow seeds half an inch deep in seed-starting mix at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide bright light and keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Harden off seedlings over seven to ten days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, starting with dappled shade and increasing sun exposure daily. Transplant after the last frost date when soil temperature is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant at the same depth they were growing in their containers, spacing them 36 inches apart in full sun.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after all frost danger passes and soil temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Plant seeds half an inch deep, two to three seeds per hill spaced 36 inches apart, and thin to the strongest seedling once vines are established.
Harvest Blue Prince pumpkins when the skin has fully hardened and turned a deep, uniform blue-green color; the rind should be difficult to puncture with a fingernail. Fruit typically reaches mature size and color around day 110 to 119 from planting. Cut pumpkins from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving several inches of stem attached; do not pull or twist fruit, as this can damage the plant and the pumpkin's storage life. Harvest before the first hard frost to prevent freeze damage, and cure harvested pumpkins in a warm, well-ventilated location at 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for seven to ten days to harden the skin further before storage.
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“Blue Prince represents modern pumpkin breeding at its finest. As a 2020 AAS Winner, it underwent rigorous comparison trials against leading varieties in the same category, earning its accolade by demonstrating superior maturity speed, production volume, fruit uniformity, color intensity, and culinary quality. The AAS program, which has evaluated new vegetable and flower varieties since 1932, only awards winners to varieties that meaningfully outperform their peers in real-world growing conditions. Blue Prince's hybrid vigor comes from carefully selected parent lines bred to combine the genetic strengths of both ancestors, resulting in a pumpkin engineered for consistent success in home gardens across a wide range of climates.”