Sugar Pie

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Sugar Pie’s famously sweet, velvety orange flesh—rich, fragrant, and smooth as satin.

Bred for pie pumpkins, it forms a compact, dependable plant that yields deep, warm butter-orange fruit with a finely grained texture that bakes up beautifully for classic desserts and hearty seasonal favorites. Grow one and enjoy a harvest that feels like a pantry treasure from the garden to the 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 23rd
Harvest Begins	Aug 26th
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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sugar Pie cooks down into a smooth, satin-textured purée, so it gives you a pie filling that sets without getting watery or fibrous. Its aromatic sweetness loves the warm spice stack, and it roasts into caramel-edged orange flesh that behaves beautifully in custards and desserts.

Best Uses

classic pumpkin pie—bake until smooth and spoonable
custards and pot pies where the filling needs a thick, creamy set
roasted cubes for a spoonable purée with browned edges
dessert breads and muffins where you want soft, tight crumb moisture

Flavor Profile

high sweetness with warm pumpkin aromatics velvety, finely grained flesh that turns silky when baked butter-orange richness with a mild, custardy savor

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon ginger nutmeg vanilla brown butter dark rum

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cucurbita pepo (Sugar Pie) and how can I control it?

Cucurbita pepo is often hit by powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves and can quickly reduce fruit size. Improve airflow by giving plants adequate spacing and avoid wetting the foliage; remove heavily infected leaves early. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for squash powdery mildew and follow the spray schedule on the label.

How often should I water Sugar Pie squash during the main growing phase (vining/fruit set)?

During active growth and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water at the base in the morning, letting the top few centimeters of soil dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering once fruits are fully sized to help prevent rotting.

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

Harvest when the rind is fully hard (hard enough that you can’t easily puncture it with a fingernail) and the stem is dry and corky. The fruit should have reached its typical size for the variety by about 95 days; if you’re unsure, press the skin gently—ripe squash feels resistant and doesn’t dent. Cut the fruit with a short stem attached and cure in a warm, dry place for about a week before storage.