6 Best Pumpkins for Carving (That You Can't Buy at Stores)
There's a lot less variety among buying whole pumpkins than any other crop in the produce department. Because pumpkins are only a seasonal specialty, locals growers and producers are not as willing to risk their profitable harvest with unique pumpkin varieties that are unproven.
Similar to other specialty herbs and crops, some of the most exotic, rare, and even ginormous competition pumpkins can only be left to the devices of the home gardener. Here are a few unique pumpkin varieties that are certain to make any Halloween a little more spooky.
Ol' Zeb's Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Weight: 25-30 lbs
- Days to Carving: 105 days
- Seeding Dates: May 15 - June 21
Ol' Zeb's pumpkins seeds grow a rare Canadian heirloom thriving in many gardens, requiring a brief 105 day growing season to produce classic and uniform 25-30 lb pumpkins. Boasts thick heirloom ridges that are just as decorative whether carved or left intact.
Harvest Jack F1 Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Weight: 22-28 lbs
- Days to Carving: 105 days
- Seeding Dates: May 15 - June 21
Harvest Jack F1 pumpkins seeds have been specially bred to produce taller, more oblong pumpkins for easy Halloween carving. While many types of winter squash, including pumpkin, are known to grow horizontal, Harvest Jack F1 offers a smoother and more upright space for carving.
New Moon Hybrid Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Weight: 35-45 lbs
- Days to Carving: 110 days
- Seeding Dates: May 15 - June 15
New Moon Hybrid pumpkins seeds grow one of the most rewarding winter squashes you could ask for. Ready to harvest in 110 days, New Moon Hybrid delivers perfectly uniform 35-45 lb alpine white pumpkins certain to turn any regular Jack O Lantern into talk of the neighborhood.
Howden Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Weight: 15-25 lbs
- Days to Carving: 115 days
- Seeding Dates: May 15 - June 15
Howden pumpkins seeds produce timeless American 15-25 lb carving pumpkins with heirloom ridges and bright orange skin. Developed in Massachusetts specifically for the Halloween season, Howden pumpkins were tailor made for carving.
Montana Jack Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Weight: 8-15 lbs
- Days to Carving: 90 days
- Seeding Dates: May 8 - July 15
Montana Jack pumpkins seeds promise a Halloween harvest for gardeners in more northern regions with shorter growing seasons. While larger pumpkins need to be sown by June, Montana Jack can be planted as late as mid-July for perfectly rounded carving pumpkins.
Casper Pumpkin Seeds
- Pumpkin Weight: 12-15 lbs
- Days to Carving: 115 days
- Seeding Dates: May 15 - June 15
Casper pumpkins seeds grow one of the most unique varieties of either pumpkin or ornamental winter squash. Grown for appearance and carving ability rather than flavor, the albino white Casper produces 12-15 lb pumpkins for a little flare in your haunted house.