Description

Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin is a classic carving-type pumpkin bred specifically for Halloween use, known for its bright orange color, smooth to slightly ribbed skin, and sturdy walls that make it easy to carve. It is one of the most widely grown pumpkin types for seasonal displays, retail lots, and U-pick operations due to its reliability and uniform appearance.

This variety produces vigorous vines and dependable yields under warm growing conditions. Fruits are typically medium-sized and uniform, making them ideal for carving and decorative fall sales. While it is primarily grown for ornamental use, the flesh can also be used for cooking when harvested young and tender.

• Type: Carving pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)
• Direct sow: After last frost when soil is warm
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: 4–6 feet between hills
• Vine length: 8–12 feet
• Fruit size: 10–20 lbs
• Days to maturity: 90–100 days

Jack-O’-Lantern pumpkins perform best in fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture during vine and fruit development. Seeds should be planted after all frost danger has passed and thinned to the strongest plants per hill. Harvest when fruits are fully orange and the rind is firm, then cure in a warm, dry location to improve storage life and maintain quality through the fall season.

Additional information