Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is an heirloom variety dating back to the early 1800s. Excellent storage and eating-quality. 6-10 lb, flattened fruits resemble a cheese wheel. Great for soups, pies, and other baked treats! C. moschata. 105 days to maturity.
30 seeds per packet
Description
Be sure to check out our Pumpkin Growing Guide to learn how to successfully grow pumpkins at home.
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin is an heirloom pumpkin variety that is one of the oldest pumpkin/winter squash varieties in existence. Dating back to the 1800s, this variety is known for its excellent flavor and texture for making pies and other baked goods. The tan fruits are flattened and resemble a cheese wheel, hence the name "cheese pumpkin."
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin produces 6-10 lbs fruits that store remarkably well, sometimes over a year, after harvest. The interior of the fruits reveals a dense, deep-orange flesh that can be used for a wide variety of dishes. These make the perfect pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup and so much more! The production average is 2 fruits per plant.
Pumpkins may be direct-seeded or transplanted, although we highly recommend direct seeding. To ensure a good stand, we recommend planting Seeds every 12" along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Pumpkins can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well.
Pumpkins are a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears. Pumpkins can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, depending on variety and sugar content. Once fruits are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all pumpkin varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure.
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Planting Information
Planting Method: direct seed
When to Plant: after last frost
Planting Depth: 1/2"
Seed Spacing: 18-24"
Row Spacing: 5-6'
Days to Maturity: 105
Disease Resistance: None
