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Pumpkin

Sugar Pie

Cucurbitaceae

Spacing1 per sq ft
Days to Harvest100d
Expected Yield2-4 pumpkins per plant

Pumpkin

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Variety History

Sugar Pie pumpkins are the traditional New England pie pumpkin, smaller and sweeter than field pumpkins. They have been the standard for baking since colonial times.

Regional Context

Pumpkins do very well in the PNW with our mild autumns. Sugar Pie is the classic baking pumpkin — small (4-6 lb), sweet, fine-textured. Larger carving pumpkins (Howden, Connecticut Field) need 100+ days and more space. Bainbridge gardeners have excellent results starting after May 20.

Growing Technique

Direct sow late May in hills 6-8 ft apart. Pumpkins are heavy feeders: work 2-3 shovels of compost into each hill. Sow 4-5 seeds per hill, thin to 2 strongest. Water deeply (1-2" per week). Pinch off growing tips when vines reach 10 ft to focus energy on fruit. Hand-pollinate if bees are scarce: transfer pollen from male flowers (straight stem) to female flowers (tiny pumpkin at base) in early morning. Harvest when stem is dry and skin is fully colored.

Watch For

  • Powdery mildew late season is expected — does not affect fruit if vines are still functional. Squash vine borer — watch for wilting and sawdust-like frass at stem base. Poor pollination gives misshapen fruit — hand-pollinate if you see female flowers dropping without setting. Mildew can be managed with a baking soda spray (1 tsp baking soda + 1 quart water + few drops soap).

Recipes