Pumpkin

Want to grow a monster pumpkin? Start with ‘Atlantic Giant’. In the right conditions, ‘Atlantic Giant’ pumpkins can reach an eye-popping size. Whether you grow a record breaker or not, you’ll have a lot of pumpkin to carve for Halloween or to make into pies and soups. Buddy, Botanical Interests’ garden-loving dog, only laments that they grow too large for him to play with!

Big Max’ is the choice of giant pumpkin growers. Unlike some large pumpkins that are just blobs, ‘Big Max’ is round and has smooth, light-orange skin and is perfect for Halloween carving or other holiday decorations. To achieve maximum size, grow one pumpkin per vine, water and fertilize regularly. Excellent for canning (many cans!) or pumpkin pies (many pies!).

Popular in Paris in the 1880s, and introduced to the U.S. in 1883, this remarkable French heirloom, also known as ‘Rouge Vif d’Étampes’ (‘vivid red of Étampes”), is deeply ridged, 12″–24″ across, and weighs 15–20 pounds. It’s a terrific decoration whether carved or not. Moderately sweet; perfect for baking and canning. The inspiration for the carriage in the charming fairy tale, your kids will be delighted to grow Cinderella’s coach. Plants tolerate heat and humidity.

When you see the perfect carving pumpkin for sale, it’s probably ‘Howden’, developed in the 1970s by John Howden in Massachusetts as the ideal decorative pumpkin. John’s son, Bruce, carries on the family tradition so you can grow your own! These bright orange pumpkins have strong handles, thick walls, and defined ribs that add to its characteristic Halloween look. Each plant produces 1–2, 18–22 pound pumpkins on long vines.