Atlantic Giant

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Atlantic Giant to a garden.

Sink your hands into the thick, velvety flesh of Atlantic Giant—an imposing pumpkin bred for truly monumental size and a rich, full-bodied sweetness.

The rind turns a deep, burnished orange with a sturdy, sculpted surface, while the interior offers a dense, spoonable texture that shines in hearty preparations and bold preserves. Grow one for the sheer spectacle of a garden centerpiece that rewards the season with abundant, flavorful fruit.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Atlantic Giant

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Atlantic Giant Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	May 19th	Jun 2nd	Sep 30th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 15th	May 29th	Sep 26th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	May 13th	May 27th	Sep 24th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	May 8th	May 22nd	Sep 19th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	May 4th	May 18th	Sep 15th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	May 1st	May 15th	Sep 12th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 25th	May 9th	Sep 6th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 20th	May 4th	Sep 1st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Apr 10th	Apr 24th	Aug 22nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Apr 1st	Apr 15th	Aug 13th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 23rd	Apr 6th	Aug 4th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Mar 6th	Mar 20th	Jul 18th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Feb 9th	Feb 23rd	Jun 23rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Built for big heat and longer cooking: the flesh goes from thick and spoonable to silky without turning watery. Roast hard, puree hot, and lean into warm spice—this giant’s sweetness caramelizes fast and holds up in pies and hearty soups.

Best Uses

slow-roasted wedges for jammy, custardy edges
thick purée for soup base or ravioli filling
sturdy pies and dense preserves that set without thinning
pan-roasted cubes tossed into browned butter and sage

Flavor Profile

dense, dense-and-spoonable flesh full-bodied sweetness with mild squashy depth caramel-ready when roasted silky puree potential

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon nutmeg brown butter sage ginger maple syrup

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Atlantic Giant leaves getting powdery white spots and how do I stop it?

Powdery mildew commonly shows up as a white, dusty coating on Atlantic Giant leaves, especially after humid weather or when vines stay damp. Cut off the most heavily infected leaves, improve airflow by giving vines room, and water the soil (not the leaves). If it keeps spreading, spray an approved sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product according to the label every 5–7 days until new growth is clean.

How often should I water Atlantic Giant vines during the main growth period?

During the main vine and fruit-filling stage, water deeply so the soil is evenly moist 6–8 in. down, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and mulch. Aim for roughly 1–2 in. of water per week; in hot spells you may need more frequent deep watering to prevent wilting and flower/young fruit drop. Keep the soil from drying out completely—consistent moisture helps the pumpkins size up toward their 120-day potential.

How can I tell when my Atlantic Giant pumpkin is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rind is fully hard (you can’t easily dent it with your fingernail), the fruit has reached its mature color for the variety (often deepened to a rich orange/tan), and the vine starts to die back. Also check the stem: it should be thick and dry-looking, and the pumpkin sounds hollow when tapped. Leave 120 days from sowing as your guide, but use the rind/ stem hardness signals to time the final harvest.