Approximately 20 seeds/package (8-10 seeds/gram) This line is grown from John Howden’s original seed stock. Uniform, dark orange pumpkins easily average 11 kg in weight. The deeply rounded pumpkins have solid, thick flesh and are a good storing pumpkin. Howden is an excellent choice for the Halloween trade. Tolerant to black rot. Pumpkins are a hot-weather crop. They need full sun and deep, rich, well-drained, organic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Before planting, work in lots of compost. Sow seed directly outdoors, in late May through early June, 2.5 cm deep in hills 2.4 m apart with 4-6 seeds per hill. After germination, thin to 3 plants per hill. Seed can be started indoors three weeks before the plant-out date. Pumpkins do not transplant well. Use paper or fibre pots that can be set directly in the soil. For competition-sized pumpkins, allow only two pumpkins per plant to mature. Protect mature pumpkins from frost and cold temperatures. Germination occurs in 7-10 days.
