Cucurbita maxima
PUMPKIN-BABY BLUE is a compact bush variety with blue-grey skin, orange flesh and fruit to 15cm across. It offers a rich and sweet flavour, similar to the larger Blue Hubbard Squash making them a favourite for roasting, baking, and pureeing into soups and desserts. Popular dry pumpkin due to its great storage qualities so it is commonly used for decorations, centrepieces, and seasonal displays.
Adaptable to most good garden soils but prefers a rich soil with a generous amount of water in full sun. Harvest ripe fruit as the vine dies off and the stem dries out.
Sow directly in the desired growing position. Keep moist and well watered once flowers appear and during the growing period. When Baby Blue Pumpkins are ready for harvest, their bluish-grey skin deepens in colour, and the stem starts to dry and crack. These visual cues help growers determine the right time to pick them.
Can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, making them a valuable addition to winter food supplies. They benefit from planting alongside compatible companions like marigolds and nasturtiums to help deter pests and improve overall garden health.