A final few Lumina pumpkin seedlings, straining at the their peat pots, are ready to go into the last couple of open beds in the pumpkin patch. Lumina is a cool whitish-green variety, a change from the orange. Growing pumpkins is fun, once they get established, they totally take over their spot and pretty much care for themselves. Up to this year, though, not much got done with them, they were mostly given away, I was just keeping my hand in on the growing side. Too bulky, heavy and underpriced to haul in quantity back and forth to the farmers’ market, I harvested and kept ’em in the field like a bright little sculpture garden, storing a few for use over the winter. This year, with the farm stand properly open, the pumpkin patch should go to better use. There’s a time for everything, including PUMPKINS!
I love your blog! We live in upstate NY and have a short growing season. My pumpkin seeds (I planted in my small greenhouse in May) did not germinate and I’m looking for a variety that might take off if I plant them now. I would love to get pumpkins going that make great pie. Anyone have any suggestions?
Jan: You’ve still got time to gamble on small pie pumpkins, some are 80-90 days, so unless there’s a very early killing frost and a really cold September, you should be able to get some in. :) There is also a superfast variety called Neon, that matures in 60-80 days!! I’ve grown some Neon for the last couple of years, couldn’t resist testing the short-season advantage. You actually get a pretty big (8-10lb), perfect-looking pumpkin…quick. You can get the seed at Veseys.