Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 08/15/2007 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
PROS: This pumpkin is everything it's cracked up to be -- gorgeous round fruits; rich orange color; thick, sturdy handles that are nonetheless in proportion. The "semi-full" plants grow almost straight up to waist-height before vining outward. My patch of pretty 15-20 pounders matured a bit earlier than other vaireties I tried. The flesh is thick and inside they're a bit dry -- great for jack-o-lantern carving! CONS: A pliable flesh is desirable during the green period to let the pumpkin grow, but the flesh on this variety is SO soft that it got scars and scrapes simply from leaning against the prickly leaf stems. The percentage of seeds that sprouted was less than other varieties I've tried (about 70 percent, as opposed to 90 percent for Howdens and Connecticut Fields), and slower to emerge, and several failed to thrive, but that may be an unfair assessment: I decided not to pamper my pumpkins so much this year and started them in topsoil instead of starter soil. I wouldn't use these for eating. OVERALL -- A KEEPER! The shape, ribbing, and handles make it the best decorative pumpkin I've ever grown. They grew well even with my less-attentive-than-usual treatment. I love this pumpkin!