Pumpkin Howden

Description

Pumpkin Howden

Pumpkin Howden. The standard variety to grow for Halloween, which reliably produces a large crop of uniform and symmetrical rich orange pumpkins with a thick flesh ideal for carving. Each pumpkin reaches up to 15 to 20 pounds and features a very thick, strong vine to provide a nice handle-like stem to hold onto while carving the pumpkins. 100 days from planting out.

Cultivation Advice Pumpkin Howden

A sunny spot protected from strong winds is essential.
The soil must be well drained and rich in humus, the more the better.
Many winter Squash / Pumpkins like to sprawl out and need plenty of space.
Vining Squash / Pumpkins require a larger area to run,
whilst semi-vining and bush varieties of winter squash / courgette can be well contained.
For an early start (Mid / Late Apr)
place a single seed edgeways 1/2inch deep in seed compost in a 3inch pot.
The critical part is temperature, these need at least 65F continuous soil temperature
(preferably more to maximise germination rates) until germinated,
so a propagator, well heated greenhouse or airing cupboard is ideal
Keep the soil moist – water copiously around the plants, not over them.
Keep weed free to allow air circulation.
Once the fruits start to swell feed every 14 days with a tomato type fertilizer,
these are greedy plants.
Limit larger fruiting varieties to 2-3 fruits (for giant pumpkins 1).