PUMPKIN-BABY BLUE
PUMPKIN-BABY BLUE
A$3.50
Out of stock
Seeds Per Pack: 5
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.
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How to Grow Baby Blue Pumpkins
- Prepare the soil first. Blue Pumpkins require well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 6.8. Before planting, add compost or well-rotted manure and till it to a depth of 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches).
- Plant Baby Blue Pumpkin seeds directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Plant the seeds 2.5 cm (1 inch) deep and 91- 122 cm (3 – 4 feet) apart in rows that are 183 cm (6 feet) apart. You can also start the seeds indoors 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost and transplant them to the garden after the seedlings have developed their second set of leaves.
- Water regularly and water deeply once a week, providing 2.5 to 5 cm (1 – 2 inches) of water each week. Make sure the soil is evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
- Fertilise Baby Blue Pumpkin with a balanced fertiliser, such as a 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 formula, at planting time and again 4 to 6 weeks later. Apply the fertiliser according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Harvest when the skin has turned a deep blue-grey colour and the stem has turned brown. Cut the pumpkin from the vine, leaving a 2 to 3-inch (5 to 7.5 cm) stem attached. Store the pumpkin in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. It will keep for several months.
Heritage of Baby Blue Pumpkin
Baby Blue Pumpkin is a relatively new heirloom variety that was developed in the 1970s by breeder Tom Baird. Baird crossed a Seminole Pumpkin with a Hubbard Blue Pumpkin to create the unique blue-grey skin colour and sweet flavour of the Baby Blue Pumpkin. This pumpkin has since become a favourite among pumpkin growers and enthusiasts for its beautiful colour and delicious taste.
Baby Blue Pumpkins are smaller than their larger counterparts, making them more manageable for home gardeners and smaller households. Their smaller size also means they can be used for individual servings or smaller recipes.
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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
Length: 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet
Season of Interest
Spring / Summer
Temperature Range
18-27°C (65-80°F)
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender
Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun - at least 6-8 hours
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Sow Direct / Raise seedlings indoors a few weeks before the last expected frost date
Soil
Well-draining, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter
pH
6.0 - 7.0
Soil Temperature
18°C (65°F)
Seed Preparation
soaking them in warm water for a few hours can help with germination
Sowing Depth
2-4 cm (1-1.5 inches)
Plant Spacing
90-120 cm (3-4 feet)
Row spacing
1.5-2 metres (5-6 feet)
Watering
Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. Provide deep and consistent moisture to keep the soil evenly moist
Germination Time (Days)
Tue May 09 2023 10:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
Harvest Time (Days)
85 - 120
Good Companion Plants
Marigolds, Nasturtium, Radishes, Corn, Beans
Bad Companion Plants
Potatoes, Other Cucurbits, Sunflowers
Pests
Aphids, Cucumber Beetles, Squash Bugs
Diseases
Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Bacterial Wilt, Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
