SproutSmart
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Howden Biggie

Pumpkin

Planting Schedule

Add Howden Biggie to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Howden Biggie
110d to harvest

Sink your senses into Howden Biggie’s rich, sunlit presence—thick-skinned and deeply ribbed, with a warm, classic orange that glows from garden to porch. The flesh is dense and velvety, offering a satisfying bite that holds its shape beautifully for hearty, comforting preparations. Grow this vigorous, long-season pumpkin for standout centerpiece fruit and reliable performance at about 110 days to maturity.

Crop Dates

Growing note: Zone 1a has only 30 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 110-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.
MilestoneDate
Last FrostJun 15th
Growing ApproachProtected Environment Only

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity110
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitVine
Support NeededTrellis
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)85
Min Soil Temp (°F)65
Min Night Temp (°F)55
Harden Off (days)10

Frequently Asked Questions


What pest or disease is most common for Cucurbita pepo (Howden-type winter squash), and what should I do first?
A very common problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, powder-like coating on the leaves later in the season. Remove the most heavily affected leaves early and improve airflow by spacing vines properly and avoiding overhead watering; treat promptly with a labeled fungicide for cucurbits if it keeps spreading. If you see rapid wilting with stem collapse, suspect vine disease (often linked to soil pathogens) and promptly remove affected vines to reduce spread.
How often should I water Cucurbita pepo during the main growing phase (after it starts vining)?
Water deeply about 1–2 times per week so the root zone gets consistently moist, aiming for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water weekly depending on heat and rainfall. Let the top couple inches of soil dry slightly between waterings, because soggy soil around roots can encourage rot in winter squash. During hot, dry weeks, check moisture by feel at 2–3 inches deep and water when it’s drying out there—not bone-dry.
How do I tell when Howden Biggie (Cucurbita pepo) is ready to harvest?
Harvest when the rind is fully hardened (you can’t easily dent it with your thumbnail) and the stem has started to dry and turn corky. The fruit should reach its full color and look mature at around 110 days, and you should cut the squash from the vine with 2–3 inches of stem attached. Handle gently to avoid skin cuts, because damaged rinds won’t store well.
Botanical illustration of Howden Biggie

Sink your senses into Howden Biggie’s rich, sunlit presence—thick-skinned and deeply ribbed, with a warm, classic orange that glows from garden to porch. The flesh is dense and velvety, offering a satisfying bite that holds its shape beautifully for hearty, comforting preparations. Grow this vigorous, long-season pumpkin for standout centerpiece fruit and reliable performance at about 110 days to maturity.