Winter Squash Seeds,
Connecticut Field Pumpkin

Plant Connecticut Field pumpkin seeds after the last frost when soil temperatures consistently exceed 65 F. For most regions, this means planting in late spring to early summer. If you have a shorter growing season, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost and transplant them outdoors once the soil has warmed​. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep, spaced 18-36” apart in rows that are 6-8 feet apart to accommodate the sprawling vines. If space is limited, consider planting on small hills or mounds to improve drainage and soil warmth. Thin seedlings to the strongest plant per hill or spot​.

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting stages. Pumpkins are heavy feeders, so apply a balanced fertilizer every few weeks throughout the growing season. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to water at the base of the plants and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

• There are four different species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination.
• If you are planning to grow several varieties of more than one species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.
• Whether it is a summer or winter squash, you must let the fruit completely mature before extracting the seeds, and cure for at least two weeks.
• Scoop the seeds, place them in a bucket, and add just enough water to cover. Let sit at room temperature to ferment for two days before rinsing off the pulp.
• Lay seeds out to dry on newspaper or paper plates.
• Stored in a cool, dry place, seeds will remain viable for up to four years.