Atlantic Giant

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 25th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Sep 6th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.