Pie pumpkin

What if all you want are pumpkins for pie? We have a list for that, too. Choose one or two of these varieties for your next pie bake.

Sun exposure:

• Full sun (six to eight hours)

Soil pH:

• 6.0 to 7.0

Hardiness Zones:

• 3 to 10

Spacing:

• 3 to 4 feet apart

Moisture:

• 1 inch per week depending on rainfall

Notes:

• transplant or direct sow after frost danger
• tighter spacing will yield smaller but more numerous fruit
• protect mature pumpkins from hard frost
• keep evenly moist

Baby Pam
Days to maturity: 100
Diameter:               5 inches
Weight:                    2 pounds
Skin:                          Orange
Vine:                          Large
Comments:             Prolific, consistent pumpkin that makes great pie

Cinderella
Days to maturity: 110
Diameter:               12 to 15 inches
Weight:                    25 pounds
Skin:                          Orange
Vine:                          Medium
Comments:             Looks like Cinderella’s carriage pumpkin; carve it or cook it

Small Sugar
Days to maturity: 100
Diameter:               6 inches
Weight:                    5 to 6 pounds
Skin:                          Orange
Vine:                          Medium
Comments:             Popular variety for pies and canning

Spookie
Days to maturity: 105
Diameter:               6 inches
Weight:                    5 to 6 pounds
Skin:                          Orange
Vine:                          Medium
Comments:             High yield; great for pie

Trickster
Days to maturity: 90
Diameter:               9 inches
Weight:                    2 to 3 pounds
Skin:                          Rich orange
Vine:                          Semi-bush
Comments:             Also good for decoration

Have you ever grown pie pumpkins? Please tell us about your experiences with pie pumpkins.