Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin

Cucurbitaceae

1950s heirloom. THE classic carving pumpkin — bright orange, smooth skin, thick walls hold carved shapes well. 8-18 lbs (typically 10-12). Primarily decorative — flesh edible but not as sweet as Sugar Pie. Vigorous 10-15+ ft vines produce 2-4 large pumpkins. BIGGEST space requirement in this group (50-100 sq ft). Thinner rind = shorter storage (1-2 months). Place straw under developing fruits to prevent bottom rot.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

90–110 days

Sun

6+ hours

Container

Not Ideal

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–14 days

Optimal Temp 85°F

Seed Depth 1"

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs High

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Recommended Recipes Worm castings topdress, Compost tea, Kelp foliar

Harvest

Deep uniform orange

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Sources

seed-catalog Thresh Seed Co — Jack O'Lantern university LSU AgCenter — Planting Time university UF/IFAS — Florida Pumpkins university Colorado State University Extension — PlantTalk: Warm season vegetables (frost tender, best growth temps) university Iowa State University Extension — Yard and Garden: Winter Squash (curing) university University of New Hampshire Extension — Growing vegetables: when to plant (zucchini/winter squash timing) university Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia State University) — Companion Planting in Gardening (Three Sisters) university Oregon State University Extension — Plan now to harvest and store pumpkins and winter squash

More Vegetables

Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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