Pumpkin

Basic Information

Seed Number

78

Seed Name

Pumpkin

Variety

Jack O Lantern

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Carving pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 14

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 14 – Apr 28

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

3 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

90–100 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-90°F

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

36-48 in

Row Spacing

6-8 ft

Thin-To Spacing

36-48 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

1-2 in/week; keep soil consistently moist during flowering and fruit enlargement

Soil Preference

Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with abundant organic matter; approximately pH 6.0-6.5

Minimum Container Size

large types best in ground

Plant Height

Vining; vines commonly 10-15 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow after frost or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 90–120 days
Container Friendly: Small varieties yes; large types best in ground
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary/ornamental depending on variety
Succession / Reusable Notes: Small pumpkins have the safest timing. Large Jack-o-lantern types need earlier planting.
Zone 6B Notes: Give vines room and water deeply.
Companion Plants: Corn, beans, nasturtiums, marigolds, calendula, sunflowers nearby, radish
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes, crowded beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Plant after frost and once soil is warm. A late-May to early-June sowing normally provides enough time for 90-100 day pumpkins to mature before October 15.
Germination: Warm soil encourages rapid emergence. Avoid cold, wet soil, which can rot pumpkin seed.
Harvest: Harvest when pumpkins have full orange color, hard rinds and drying corky stems. Leave several inches of stem attached and cure before long-term storage.
Seed Saving: Jack O Lantern is Cucurbita pepo and can cross with compatible pumpkins, zucchini, summer squash and ornamental gourds.
Special Care: Primarily bred for carving but the flesh is edible. Provide ample vine space and monitor for squash vine borer, squash bugs and powdery mildew.
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/jack-olantern-pumpkin-seeds---1-pound/PUHA-1-pound.html — 90-100 day maturity, carving use and edible flesh
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/pumpkins-and-winter-squash — pumpkin warm-soil planting, water, soil, spacing and harvest practices
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]