A New Zealand heirloom, Jarrahdale pumpkin has a slate blue, ribbed exterior and a deep delicious orange interior flesh. The flesh is dry, string less, sweet with a complex flavor that will have you hooked after one bite.
To grow Jarrahdale pumpkins, plant seeds outdoors after the last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 70°F, spacing them 3-5 feet apart in rows, ensuring they receive full sun; water regularly, mulch around the plants to retain moisture, and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season; harvest pumpkins before the first frost when the skin is hard and the stem is dry; consider starting seeds indoors in colder climates a few weeks before the last frost to get a head start.
Seed Count: 15
Maturity: 100 days
Light: 6-8 hours of full sun
Sprouts in 5-10 days
Seed Depth: 1/2-1”
Plant Spacing: 18-36"
Planting time: In colder climates, start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost, when soil is warm (around 70°F).
Soil conditions: Choose well-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter.
Sunlight: Full sun exposure is required (at least 6-8 hours daily).
Spacing: Space plants 3-5 feet apart in rows.
Watering: Keep soil moist, providing deep watering regularly.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer every few weeks, especially during flowering and fruiting stages.
Mulching: Use mulch around the plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Harvesting: Pick pumpkins before the first frost when the skin is hard and the stem is dry.
Optional considerations:
Trellising: Use trellises to support the vines if space is limited.
Companion planting: Consider planting pumpkins near corn for mutual benefits.
