Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 08/21/2008 by Philcoman - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
This variety has been described as "prolific" by several coop extensions, so perhaps I just had bad luck with it. Despite extensive vining, much compost and rain, and an almost ideal pumpkin summer, the yield on this variety was just terrible. It produced very few female blossoms, most of them later in the season when they were too late to realize the best size. From 12 plants I saw only four real pumpkins. It seems like an experimental variety that's not quite there. The leaves often seem too heavy for their own stems, breaking easily, and vines often grow almost straight up, sending out anchors and secondaries that dangled uselessly in midair. On the plus side, it is indeed tolerant to powdery mildew. The midsummer rain created heat and humidity that would have done in almost any other variety without substantial fungacide treatment, but the Hercules vines are still green and healthy. The pumpkins I do have are large, well shaped and good looking, very similar to Howdens. I may try them again when I have more room to spare and can afford to experiment.