New England Pie

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your senses into the rich, golden-orange flesh of New England Pie winter squash, where sweetness blooms with a velvety, spoon-silky texture.

This 90-day variety forms a sturdy, well-filled fruit with a deep, warm rind and a satisfying, dense interior—ideal for creating luscious pie-style preparations, smooth purées, and hearty roasted wedges. Grow it for the kind of harvest that feels like a pantry treasure: fragrant, richly colored, and wonderfully versatile from first scoop to final spoonful.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of New England Pie

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	Aug 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

New England Pie’s dense, silky flesh turns from sweet raw squash into a spoon-licked creaminess when baked or simmered, holding its shape in purées instead of going watery. Give it warmth—brown butter, sage, and cinnamon—and it tastes like autumn with a proper, hearty finish.

Best Uses

baked “pie-style” squash purée for custards and spiced pies
slow-roasted wedges (or cubes) for deep caramel notes and creamy interior
thick, smooth squash purée for gratins or dumpling fillings
soups that need body without thinning out

Flavor Profile

warm, sweet squash flavor velvety, spoon-silky flesh dense, dry-ish interior that caramelizes at the edges fragrant, golden-orange richness

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon nutmeg sage maple syrup black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Cucurbita maxima (New England Pie), and how can I manage it?

Cucurbita maxima commonly suffers from powdery mildew, which shows as a white dusting on leaves and can reduce fruit size late in the season. Start by watering at the soil line (not the vines), space plants to keep leaves drier, and remove heavily infected leaves early. If it’s spreading, treat with a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product and repeat according to the label after 7–10 days.

How often should I water Cucurbita maxima during the main growing phase (after vines establish)?

During active vine growth and fruit set, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, increasing to maintain moisture during hot weeks. Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than lightly every day, and stop frequent watering once fruits have sized up and are beginning to mature to avoid splitting and bland flavor.

How do I tell when Cucurbita maxima (New England Pie) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 90 days when the rind is hard (can’t be easily punctured with your fingernail) and the fruit’s skin has turned fully matte and tan/orange as appropriate for your plant. The stem (peduncle) should be dry and starting to cork, and the vines may begin to wither. Cut the fruit with a bit of stem attached and cure it in a warm, dry spot for about 7–10 days for best storage.