Pumpkin 'Jack O'Lantern' 'Jack OLantern'

'Jack O'Lantern' is the quintessential pumpkin variety for the UK, grown primarily for the tradition of carving at Halloween. It produces medium-sized, round to slightly elongated fruits that typically weigh between 5kg and 8kg. The skin is a classic bright orange, and the flesh is edible, though perhaps less sweet than varieties bred specifically for cooking. For British gardeners, seeds should be sown indoors in April or May and transplanted outdoors in June to a very rich, manured spot in full sun. These plants are vigorous trailers and need considerable space to grow—usually about 2 metres between plants. Regular and heavy watering is essential, especially as the fruits begin to swell mid-summer. To achieve the best colour and ensure the skin hardens for storage, harvest the pumpkins in October before the first frosts. They should be "cured" in a sunny spot for a week to harden the rinds. This variety is a firm favourite for its reliable production of uniform, attractive fruits.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, heavy, moisture-retentive soil.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.