Rouge Vif d'Etampes

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Rouge Vif d'Etampes to a garden.

Velvety, sun-warmed flesh meets a richly colored rind in Rouge Vif d’Etampes—an heirloom pumpkin prized for its deep, burnished orange-red glow and beautifully dense, fine-grained texture.

Expect sweet, aromatic flavor with a smooth, spoonable bite that shines in hearty preparations, from roasted wedges to velvety purées and spiced sauces. A showstopper in the garden as well as the pantry, it’s a dependable 110-day favorite for growers who want both beauty and bold, comforting character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Rouge Vif d'Etampes

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Rouge Vif d'Etampes 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 5th	May 19th	Sep 6th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 1st	May 15th	Sep 2nd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 29th	May 13th	Aug 31st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 24th	May 8th	Aug 26th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 20th	May 4th	Aug 22nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 17th	May 1st	Aug 19th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 11th	Apr 25th	Aug 13th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 6th	Apr 20th	Aug 8th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 27th	Apr 10th	Jul 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 18th	Apr 1st	Jul 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 9th	Mar 23rd	Jul 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 20th	Mar 6th	Jun 24th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 26th	Feb 9th	May 30th – 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	110
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

Rouge Vif d’Etampes has a tight, fine-grained bite that turns velvety rather than watery when heated, so it holds up in purées and thick sauces. Roast it until its edges caramelize and the interior goes creamy-sweet—then let brown butter and sage do the heavy lifting.

Best Uses

roasted wedges with caramelized edges (it stays spoonable, not stringy)
silky purée for gratins, ravioli filling, or sheet-pan mash
thick spiced sauces/chutneys that cling instead of thinning out

Flavor Profile

sweet, aromatic pumpkin flesh fine-grained and densely smooth mouthfeel warm spice-leaning flavor that roasts into a nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter sage cinnamon ginger smoked paprika maple syrup

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cucurbita maxima (Rouge Vif d’Etampes), and how do I treat it?

Cucurbita maxima is prone to powdery mildew, which appears as a white-gray film on leaves and can reduce fruit size near mid-to-late season. Improve airflow by spacing vines and removing only the worst-affected leaves, then apply a labeled fungicide made for powdery mildew at the first signs. To prevent recurrence, water at the base so foliage stays dry and avoid working through the patch when leaves are damp.

How often should I water Rouge Vif d’Etampes during the main growing phase?

During active vine growth and fruit swelling, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, adjusted for rainfall. Water deeply at the base 1–2 times per week rather than frequent light sprinkling, letting the top few inches dry slightly between waterings. Consistent moisture helps prevent misshapen fruit; stop heavy watering in the last 2–3 weeks so the rind cures better for storage.

How can I tell when Rouge Vif d’Etampes is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rind is fully hard (you can’t easily puncture it with a fingernail) and the stem begins to dry and turn corky. Look for deep orange-red color and a dull, not glossy, skin finish, which typically aligns with about 110 days from sowing. Cut the fruit with a sharp knife, leaving 2–3 inches of stem, and cure it in warm, dry air for about 10–14 days before storing.