VegetablePumpkin
Howden Pumpkin
The Howden pumpkin stands as America's quintessential jack-o-lantern variety, the very pumpkin you've likely carved or seen at every grocery store come October. This open-pollinated cultivar produces uniform, deep round fruits weighing 15-25 pounds with that perfect orange shell and symmetrical shape that carvers dream of. Hardy across zones 3-13, these reliable pumpkins mature in 110-115 days from seed to harvest, making them accessible to gardeners with both short and long growing seasons.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
TypeBush
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
What makes Howden truly special is its remarkable consistency and multipurpose nature. Each vine produces 3-4 perfectly shaped pumpkins with thick, hard shells and extra-thick flesh that excels not just for carving but also for cooking and storage. The deep orange color signals abundant beta-carotene, while the uniform 15-25 pound size hits that sweet spot for impressive jack-o-lanterns that aren't too heavy to handle. Most importantly, Howden stores exceptionally well, maintaining its quality long past Halloween when properly cured.
Common Uses
Beyond its fame as the ultimate carving pumpkin, Howden's thick flesh makes it excellent for traditional pumpkin cooking including pies, soups, and roasted preparations. The high fiber content and rich beta-carotene make it as nutritious as it is decorative, while the uniform size and classic orange appearance make it perfect for fall decorations and seasonal displays.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Sow 2-3 seeds per 2-inch container about 3 weeks prior to transplanting. Germinate at 75-95°F, then thin to 1 plant per container with scissors. Harden plants 4-7 days before transplanting outdoors.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed, handling seedlings carefully to minimize root disturbance. Work a shovelful of compost into each planting hill before transplanting.
Direct Sow
Plant 2-4 weeks after your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches 65-70°F. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to prevent seed rot.
Harvesting
Harvest when pumpkins are fully mature with firm, hard rinds and deep orange color. Leave on the vine until complete maturity, as they can tolerate light frost but must be protected from hard freezes. Cut from the vine leaving a portion of the stem attached for better storage life.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita pepo
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (NI)PR (I)CAN (W)