PLANTS SHIP MID-MAY+ (except fruit trees), SEEDS SHIP ANYTIME, CANADA ONLY. LOCAL PICKUP AVAILABLE (incl. fruit trees, Ottawa) LONG PIE PUMPKIN | id:24567 | Cucurbita pepo | Ecologically grown | Annual | Open Pollinated | Heirloom Fedco Seeds. OP. Native origin. Though widely grown in Maine 80 years ago, it almost became extinct. LeRoy Souther, of Maine, maintained it over 30 years and brought seeds to John Navaziolate 1980s, who reintroduced it to commerce through Garden City Seeds. After ripening in storage, 3–5 lb fruit turns bright orange, signaling ripeness. Makes incomparable pies. Vines display enormous vigor & astonishing yields. Can keep all winter stored at 50°. Germinates poorly in cold soil. Immature fruit make tasty “summer” squash. Vitamins+: A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9+, C, K, Mg, P, Zn, Lycopene Companion plants: Corn, Pole Beans, Radish, Marigold, Nasturtium, Oregano, Calendula. Far from: Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Pepper. Planting tip: Soak seeds 24 hrs and scarify to boost germination. Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow late May–early June once soil is 25°C. For exhibition pumpkins, sow 2–3 seeds per hill spaced 15–20′ apart; thin to 1 plant at 3–4″ tall.|| After the first pumpkin sets, remove extra flowers and fruit. Harvesting tip: Mature fruit have a rich color & rinds are hard to dent with a fingernail. The ground spot also gets riper in color (yellow to cream, gold to orange). Cut 2” stem to avoid stem rot. Must cure in a dry, warm place. Storage tip: Store at 10-12°C w/ 55-75% humidity & good air circulation.
Seed depth:1″ Direct, Plant spacing:24-36”, Row spacing:24-36″, Sun Level:3, Watering Level:3, Germination:7-10 days/jrs, 21-35°C Optimally:27-35°C, Maturity:100 days/jrs, Edible flower (See Envelope below) Gaia Organics, 399 River Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1V 1C9 (near Gatineau, Quebec) 613-219-8463 (see the envelope below)
