Casper

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Experience the cool, creamy allure of Casper—an elegant pumpkin with a luminous, ghostly white skin that feels smooth and firm to the touch.

Its flesh is rich and velvety, offering a mellow, sweet flavor that shines whether you roast it for caramelized depth, simmer it into silky purées, or turn it into comforting pies and hearty soups. A dependable 95-day performer, Casper brings a clean, show-stopping look to the garden and a versatile, spoonable harvest to your table.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Vine

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Aug 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
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

Casper’s flesh tends to go creamy and cohesive when cooked, so it doesn’t turn watery in purées or thin out when blended for soup. Roast it until the edges caramelize, then lean into warm spice and browned butter to make that mellow sweetness feel richer instead of flat.

Best Uses

roast and mash for a thick, spoonable purée
silky pumpkin soup—blend smooth and serve with a swirl
custardy pumpkin pie where the filling bakes up dense and creamy
braised or roasted wedges for caramelized edges and soft centers

Flavor Profile

mellow sweetness creamy, velvety flesh with low stringiness roasted caramel notes gentle pumpkin spice warmth

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon ginger sage garlic maple syrup

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Solanum melongena (eggplant) and what should I do?

Eggplant most often suffers from early blight (Alternaria), which shows up as dark, concentric “target” spots on older leaves. Remove and discard badly spotted leaves, water at the soil line (not overhead), and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves dry quickly after rain. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for tomato/eggplant early blight and reapply according to the label interval.

How often should I water Solanum melongena during its main growing phase?

During active flowering and fruit set, keep soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and don’t let the soil dry out completely between waterings, which can cause flower drop and misshapen fruit. Mulch around plants to reduce rapid moisture swings, and avoid wetting the foliage.

How can I tell when my Solanum melongena ‘Casper’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is glossy, firm, and has reached its full size (typically around 7–9 inches long) and before seeds become noticeable and dull. For best flavor, cut fruit with scissors or pruners, leaving a short stem, once the skin is fully white and still tight—overripe eggplant turns more spongy and can develop bitterness. Start checking from around day 95 (or earlier if your plants set fruit sooner).