Howden

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sink your senses into Howden’s rich, warm presence—an impressively deep, ribbed pumpkin with a thick, durable rind that feels substantial to the touch.

The flesh is generously thick and golden, offering a sweet, mellow flavor and a velvety, spoonable texture that holds its character beautifully. Grow Howden for standout autumn color and dependable performance in the garden, then enjoy it as a centerpiece pumpkin for hearty seasonal preparations and smooth, flavorful purées, pies, and preserves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 105 DaysHabit: Vine

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Howden 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	Jun 26th	Jul 10th	Oct 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Jun 30th	Jul 14th	Oct 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Jun 26th	Jul 10th	Oct 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Jun 24th	Jul 8th	Oct 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Jun 19th	Jul 3rd	Oct 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Jun 15th	Jun 29th	Oct 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Jun 12th	Jun 26th	Oct 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Jun 6th	Jun 20th	Oct 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Jun 1st	Jun 15th	Sep 28th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	May 22nd	Jun 5th	Sep 18th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	May 13th	May 27th	Sep 9th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	May 4th	May 18th	Aug 31st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Apr 17th	May 1st	Aug 14th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Mar 23rd	Apr 6th	Jul 20th – 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	105
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	85
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Howden’s thick flesh turns velvety when roasted and stays smooth without getting watery, which is why it shines in purées, pies, and custardy bakes. The rind carries its weight too—great for an aggressive roast that deepens sweetness and gives you those nutty, toasted edges before you purée.

Best Uses

roast cubes until bronzed, then purée for silky soup
bake thick slices for a caramelized, custardy edge in pies or tarts
slow-simmer a spiced pumpkin base for thick curry or stew
cook down into preserves or jam with cinnamon and citrus peel

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow squashy flavor velvety, spoonable flesh toasty roasted edges with a gentle caramel note thick, firm texture that holds up in purée and baking

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon ginger nutmeg brown butter cream or coconut milk sage

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cucurbita pepo (Howden squash), and how can I control it?

Cucurbita pepo is commonly hit by powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, powdery coating on leaves and can quickly reduce yield. Water the soil (not the foliage), space plants for airflow, and remove badly infected leaves early. If pressure is high, use a labeled fungicide targeted for cucurbit powdery mildew and apply at the first signs of coating so it doesn’t spread through the canopy.

How often should I water Howden (Cucurbita pepo) during the main growing phase?

During active vine and fruit growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base in the morning, then let the top few inches of soil dry slightly before the next watering. Consistent moisture helps prevent misshapen fruit and blossom-end issues, while soggy soil encourages root problems.

How do I tell when Howden (Cucurbita pepo) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rind is fully hardened (hard to pierce with your fingernail) and the fruit has a deep, uniform color typical of the mature squash. The stem should start to dry and the fruit should feel heavy for its size; mature fruits also tolerate handling better. Pick before frost, since damage from cold can shorten storage life.