PUMPKIN-BABY BLUE
$3.50
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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.
SKU: PKBB
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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.| Plant Height | Length: 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet |
|---|---|
| Season of Interest | Spring / Summer |
| Temperature Range | 18 - 27°C (64 - 81°F) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
PUMPKIN-BABY BLUE
$3.50
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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.
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