VegetablePumpkin
Wolf Pumpkin
Carving Pumpkin
Wolf Pumpkin is a distinctly stocky, round-to-oblate pumpkin that earns its name from a remarkable handle so substantial it becomes the fruit's signature feature. These Non-GMO plants produce 15 to 25 pound fruits over 120 to 129 days, thriving in zones 3 through 13 with full sun and moderate water. Deep orange skin with moderate ribbing conceals flesh so thick it feels deceivingly heavy for its size, and every fruit arrives with that unmistakable, firmly attached handle that makes harvesting a genuine pleasure.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/pumpkin-wolf-seeds)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeVine
Spacing
4-6 feet apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The handle is legendary. Every Wolf Pumpkin emerges with a thick, long, firmly attached handle that sets it apart from nearly every other pumpkin variety you'll encounter. The flesh thickness is exceptional, preventing the flat-sided fruit that plagues less carefully bred varieties and giving you fruits that weigh considerably more than their appearance suggests. This variety produces a range of sizes and shapes, but every single one carries the trademark feature that makes it instantly recognizable.
Common Uses
Wolf Pumpkins serve beautifully as decorative autumn displays and functional carving pumpkins, their substantial handles making them easy to display and handle. The thick flesh also lends itself well to cooking and processing for pies, roasting, and other culinary applications where structural integrity matters.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Early Fall
Last Harvest
Mid-fall
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant Wolf Pumpkins outdoors after the last frost date, ensuring soil temperatures are consistently warm. Space plants 36 inches apart to give the vigorous vines room to spread without crowding.
Direct Sow
Direct sow Wolf Pumpkin seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit, planting in hills or rows spaced 36 inches apart.
Harvesting
Harvest Wolf Pumpkins after 120 to 129 days when the skin has fully colored to deep orange and feels hard when pressed with a fingernail. Cut the fruit from the vine leaving several inches of stem attached, taking advantage of that sturdy handle for easy carrying. Harvest before the first frost, as these are frost-tender plants that will be damaged by cold.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita mixta Pang.
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita