Bumbleseeds / Seeds

Pumpkin - Dills Atlantic Giant (Cucurbita maxima) Organic Giant Jack O Lantern Pumpkins Open Pollinated Non GMO Heirloom Vegetable

5 g
$3.50
Shipping calculated at checkout.
SKU:

Pumpkin - Dills Atlantic Giant (Cucurbita maxima) Organic Giant Jack O Lantern Pumpkins Open Pollinated Non GMO Heirloom Vegetable

Annual

Height

This biggie is a trophy worthy pumpkin! Pumpkins are a full sun winter squash that thrives in the heat, trailing and vining just like a gourd or cucumber. And like any other winter squash, pumpkin features a wide variety of colors and sizes for both ornamental and culinary use.

Pumpkins are able to grow multiple on the vine but, for largest and most decorative squash, plants can be pruned to force enormous, even competition size pumpkins just in time for autumn fun.

Dill's Atlantic is an enormous jack-o-lanterns for fall, has medium orange coloring and a smooth, ribbed surface. Highly recommended to prepare your soil ahead of time to create a site that's well-draining and rich with humus.

Pumpkins can be sown directly after the final spring frost or, for the earliest starts, begin indoors 3-4 weeks prior to the last frost. Transplant to composted, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8.

  • Full sun
  • Start seeds indoors; plant 2-3 seeds 1" deep per cell and transplant to garden after all risk of frost has passed.
  • OR direct sow: plant atop 8-10" tall mounds of soil every 5-6 ft to accommodate long, heavy trailing vines.
  • Germinates:  4-10 days
  • Fertilize crop every 3 weeks and harvest pumpkins before the autumn frost.
  • Once a few pumpkins begin to show on the vine, pinch off vines to inhibit vegetative growth, directing energy to producing the most optimal pumpkins.
  • How to Grow Competition-Sized Pumpkins

Note: Giant pumpkins, such as Dill's Atlantic Giant, are typically grown for pumpkin competitions.

If you are looking to grow your giant pumpkins as large as possible, you should only allow one pumpkin to grow per plant, which means you'll have to pinch off all other flowers to concentrate growth into the one fruit you've chosen to be your prize winner.

Growing a giant pumpkin from seed requires a significant amount of water. Plan to add at least 1" of water per week if there isn't a significant amount of rain.

Giant pumpkins are heavy feeders that put on weight rapidly once the fruit is set. Be sure to plan out a feeding schedule to ensure the plant is getting enough nutrients from the soil. Even though Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds are usually grown for the enormous size of the fruit, they offer a smooth, creamy flesh that can be used in recipes that call for fresh pumpkin. And, roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious snack.

  • Harvesting: Dill's Atlantic Giant is usually ready to harvest in about 120 days. Regardless of color or size, pumpkins are generally ripe once the stem is solid and rind is tough, unable to be pierced by a fingernail. Clip pumpkins from the vine with shears leaving about 4" of stem intact and, once harvested, leave out to naturally cure in the sun for 10-14 days. The curing process will help pumpkins last up to 3 months longer after harvesting.
  • Seed Count: 10