Pepitas Pumpkin F1

Be sure to check out our Pumpkin Growing Guide to learn how to successfully grow pumpkins at home. Pepitas Pumpkin is a hybrid pumpkin variety known for its delicious and nutritious Seeds. "Pepitas," which is Spanish for "naked seed," produces Seeds without the tough outer hull found on traditional pumpkin varieties. Pumpkin Seeds have numerous health benefits including being high in antioxidants, high in fiber, and the ability to lower blood sugar levels. Pepitas Pumpkin produces 9-12 lb pumpkins that have a yellow to light orange base with beautiful, decorative green stripes. The interior of the fruits reveals a beautiful orange flesh that is also great to eat! This variety has vigorous vines that are resistant to powdery mildew and should be given plenty of room to grow. Pepitas was awarded the All-America Selection designation in 2016 for it's unique appearance, plant vigor and flavor. Pumpkins may be direct-seeded or transplanted. To ensure a good stand when direct-seeding, we recommend planting pumpkin Seeds every 12" along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Pumpkins can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well. Pumpkins are a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears. Pumpkins can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, depending on variety and sugar content. Once fruits are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all pumpkin varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure. Pepitas Pumpkin Planting Information Planting Method: direct seed When to Plant: after last frost Planting Depth: 1/2" Seed Spacing: 18-24" Row Spacing: 5-6' Days to Maturity: 100 Disease Resistance: Powdery Mildew