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1379 products
1379 products
Cucurbita maxima
Crown Prince, also known as Whangaparāoa Crown, is a prized New Zealand heirloom originating from Whangaparāoa Bay. It produces attractive medium to large fruits with hard blue-grey skin, a small seed cavity and dense, deep orange flesh. The flesh is dry, exceptionally sweet and rich in flavour, making it ideal for roasting, soups and baking. An outstanding keeper, Crown Prince stores for many months after harvest while its flavour continues to develop.
Approximately 4–6 seeds per gram
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August (dry season)
Subtropics: September to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to December
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed 20–30 mm deep into well-drained, fertile soil in full sun after the danger of frost has passed. Plant in mounds or rows, spacing plants 1–1.5 m apart with 2–3 m between rows. Keep well watered during flowering and fruit development, and harvest once the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cure fruit in a warm, airy place for 10–14 days before storing to maximise keeping quality.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Crown Prince, also known as Whangaparāoa Crown, is a prized New Zealand heirloom originating from Whangaparāoa Bay. It produces attractive medium to large fruits with hard blue-grey skin, a small seed cavity and dense, deep orange flesh. The flesh is dry, exceptionally sweet and rich in flavour, making it ideal for roasting, soups and baking. An outstanding keeper, Crown Prince stores for many months after harvest while its flavour continues to develop.
Approximately 4–6 seeds per gram
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August (dry season)
Subtropics: September to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to December
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed 20–30 mm deep into well-drained, fertile soil in full sun after the danger of frost has passed. Plant in mounds or rows, spacing plants 1–1.5 m apart with 2–3 m between rows. Keep well watered during flowering and fruit development, and harvest once the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cure fruit in a warm, airy place for 10–14 days before storing to maximise keeping quality.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita mixta
Orange Cushaw is a distinctive heirloom Pumpkin producing large, pear-shaped fruits with characteristic curved or bent necks. The creamy skin is beautifully marked with orange stripes, while inside is pale yellow flesh with a mild, pleasantly sweet flavour reminiscent of button squash.
Fruits typically weigh around 5–9 kg and are wonderfully versatile in the kitchen. The mild flesh can be boiled, steamed, roasted or baked and is traditionally particularly well suited to pies. Its gentle flavour also works well in soups, stews and both sweet and savoury baking.
Cushaws are an old and distinctive group of pumpkins originating in the Americas, with a particularly long history of cultivation in North America. They were grown by Indigenous peoples well before European settlement and later became important vegetables in the food traditions of the southern United States, where cushaw pies, preserves and baked dishes remain traditional uses.
Cucurbita mixta is the older botanical name for the species now generally classified as Cucurbita argyrosperma. The species includes a diverse collection of cushaws and other pumpkins recognised by their characteristic fruit shapes, hardy vines and excellent storage qualities.
Orange Cushaw grows on vigorous trailing vines and requires plenty of room. Once properly matured and cured, the fruits store well, making it a useful pumpkin for extending the home-grown harvest beyond the growing season.
Approximately 22 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: During the warm season, avoiding the wettest periods where disease pressure is high
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer after frost
Cold climates: Spring after all danger of frost; start indoors where the growing season is short
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil after all danger of frost has passed, or raise seedlings for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and plenty of additional room for the vigorous trailing vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when the skin has developed its mature cream and orange colouring, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature fruit in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before moving to a cool, dry storage area. Properly matured and cured Orange Cushaw pumpkins have excellent keeping qualities.
Maturity: approximately 115 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita pepo
Delicata is a much-loved heirloom winter squash producing attractive oblong fruits approximately 20 cm long and 7 cm wide. The creamy skin is patterned with distinctive dark green longitudinal stripes and flecks, while inside is sweet, golden flesh with a smooth, rich texture.
The flavour is notably sweet and often described as somewhere between pumpkin and sweet potato, with a slightly nutty quality. Its convenient individual size makes Delicata particularly good for roasting and stuffing. Simply halve the fruit, remove the seeds and bake, or fill with grains, vegetables, herbs, cheese or meat. The flesh is also excellent in soups, curries and warm salads.
One of Delicata's great culinary advantages is its edible skin. When cooked, the relatively thin rind becomes tender enough to eat, so there is generally no need to peel the fruit before roasting.
Delicata is an American heirloom dating to the late 19th century and was commercially introduced in the United States in the 1890s. After declining in popularity for a period, it enjoyed a resurgence as gardeners and cooks rediscovered its exceptional flavour, manageable fruit size and distinctive appearance.
Although commonly grouped with pumpkins and winter squash, Delicata belongs to Cucurbita pepo, the same species that includes zucchini, many summer squashes and numerous ornamental gourds.
Approximately 15 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: During the warm season, avoiding the wettest periods where disease pressure is high
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer after frost
Cold climates: Spring after all danger of frost; start indoors where the growing season is short
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil after all danger of frost has passed, or raise seedlings for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–1.5 m between plants and provide room for the vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when the cream-coloured skin has developed its characteristic dark green markings, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut fruits from the vine with a section of stem attached.
Allow mature fruit to cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing. Delicata can be stored after harvest, although its thinner skin means it generally does not keep as long as the hardest-skinned winter pumpkins.
Maturity: approximately 100 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita moschata
Futsu is a beautiful old Japanese heirloom Pumpkin prized for its extraordinary changing colour, deeply fluted shape and excellent eating quality. Fruits begin with very dark green skin, often appearing almost black, before gradually developing warm bronze, buff and orange tones as they mature and cure after harvest.
Beneath the striking skin is dense, fine-textured orange flesh with a rich, sweet and slightly nutty flavour. One of Futsu’s best qualities is that the flavour continues to develop after harvest, becoming sweeter and more complex during storage. It is superb roasted and equally suited to soups, curries, baking, purées and other savoury dishes.
Often known as Black Futsu or Futsu Kurokawa, this traditional Japanese variety belongs to Cucurbita moschata, a species particularly well adapted to warm growing conditions. Its heavily ribbed, somewhat flattened fruits are highly ornamental and can vary considerably in colour as they cure.
Japanese pumpkins are renowned for dense flesh and excellent culinary quality, and Futsu is no exception. Allowing the fruit a period of storage after harvest before eating can noticeably improve its sweetness and flavour.
Plants are vigorous trailing vines requiring warm conditions, full sun and plenty of room to spread. Like many C. moschata varieties, Futsu performs particularly well in warm and humid climates.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Japan subsequently developed its own distinctive pumpkin culture and numerous locally selected varieties, including richly flavoured C. moschata types such as Futsu.
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: During the warm season, avoiding the wettest periods where disease pressure is high
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer after frost
Cold climates: Spring after all danger of frost; start indoors where the growing season is short
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil after all danger of frost has passed, or raise seedlings for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest once fruits are fully mature and the rind has hardened. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached and cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position.
During curing and storage, the dark skin gradually develops bronze to orange tones and the flesh becomes sweeter. Store mature fruit in a cool, dry position with good airflow.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Golden Nugget is a compact bush pumpkin producing small, flattened globe-shaped fruits with orange skin and fine-textured, sweet, light orange flesh. Its tidy growth habit makes it well suited to smaller gardens and raised beds, while its prolific yields and good storage qualities make it a reliable home-garden variety. The fruits are an excellent size for roasting whole, stuffing or using in soups and baking.
Approximately 4–6 seeds per gram
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August (dry season)
Subtropics: September to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to December
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed 20–30 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in full sun after the danger of frost has passed. Space plants approximately 80 cm to 1 m apart. Keep evenly watered during flowering and fruit development, avoiding prolonged waterlogging. Harvest after approximately 75–95 days, once the skin has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cure fruit in a warm, airy place before storing.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita moschata
Gramma is a classic Australian heirloom Pumpkin that has been grown in home and farm gardens for generations. A vigorous, hardy variety, it produces medium-sized, egg to pear-shaped fruits with smooth skin that matures from yellow to rich rusty orange.
Inside is dense, bright orange flesh with a sweet, creamy texture. Gramma is particularly famous for its use in traditional Gramma Pie, an old-fashioned Australian sweet pie made with cooked pumpkin, sugar and spices. The flesh is also excellent roasted, baked or used in soups, curries, preserves and other sweet or savoury dishes.
Gramma has a strong place in Australian food and gardening history, particularly in rural and regional communities. The name has been used in Australia for distinctive long or pear-shaped pumpkins since at least the 19th century, and gramma became closely associated with home preserving and baking. Recipes for Gramma Pie became a familiar part of Australian household cookery, especially in New South Wales and Queensland.
Plants are vigorous, sprawling vines with large, deeply lobed green leaves and golden-yellow flowers attractive to bees and other pollinators. Vines can extend several metres and are best given plenty of space to ramble.
As a Cucurbita moschata, Gramma thrives in warm conditions and is particularly well suited to many Australian climates. Mature fruits also have good keeping qualities, providing useful kitchen stores well beyond the growing season.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Over generations, Australian gardeners selected and maintained varieties particularly suited to local growing conditions and cooking traditions, with Gramma becoming one of the country's distinctive heritage pumpkins.
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: During the warm season, avoiding the wettest periods where disease pressure is high
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer after frost
Cold climates: Spring after all danger of frost; start indoors where the growing season is short
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil after all danger of frost has passed, or raise seedlings for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest once the skin has developed its mature yellow to rusty-orange colour, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing in a cool, dry place with good airflow.
Maturity: approximately 90–120 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Ironbark is a classic Australian heritage Pumpkin renowned for its exceptionally hard skin, excellent keeping qualities and richly flavoured flesh. It produces substantial oval fruits with distinctive dark grey-green, heavily textured or warted skin and dense yellow-orange flesh.
The thick, tough rind that gives Ironbark its name makes mature fruits exceptionally durable in storage. Properly harvested and cured pumpkins can be kept for many months, making this an excellent variety for gardeners wanting a dependable supply well beyond the growing season.
The firm yellow-orange flesh has a rich traditional pumpkin flavour and relatively dry texture. It is excellent roasted or baked and holds together well in curries and stews. It can also be used for soups, mash, scones, pies and other sweet or savoury pumpkin dishes.
Ironbark has a long history in Australian gardens and market production, where varieties capable of surviving transport and extended storage were particularly valuable. Its famously hard rind could be difficult to cut, but that same characteristic protected the flesh and helped make Ironbark a dependable household storage pumpkin.
Plants are vigorous trailing vines and require plenty of room to spread. Allow fruits to mature fully on the vine wherever possible, as a properly developed rind is important for achieving the variety's exceptional storage potential.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Australian growers subsequently maintained and selected varieties suited to local conditions and culinary traditions, with hardy keeping pumpkins such as Ironbark becoming enduring favourites.
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: During the warm season, avoiding the wettest periods where disease pressure is high
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer after frost
Cold climates: Spring after all danger of frost; start indoors where the growing season is short
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil after all danger of frost has passed, or raise seedlings for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest once the fruit has developed its mature dark grey-green colour, the rind is extremely hard and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before moving them to a cool, dry storage area. The exceptionally hard rind gives Ironbark excellent long-term keeping qualities.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita pepo
Jack Be Little is a delightful heirloom miniature pumpkin producing deeply ribbed, flattened fruits measuring just 5–7 cm across. The bright orange fruits have sweet orange flesh and are perfectly sized for roasting whole, stuffing or baking. Equally valued for their ornamental appeal, they make charming table decorations and craft projects. When left to mature and dry on the vine, the fruits can store for up to 12 months.
Approximately 7–9 seeds per gram
Approximately 12 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: April to August (dry season)
Subtropics: September to January
Mild climates: September to December
Cold climates: October to December
Planting / Sowing
Sow seed 20–30 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in full sun after the danger of frost has passed. Space plants 1–1.5 m apart, allowing room for the spreading vines. Water regularly during flowering and fruit development. Harvest after approximately 85–110 days once the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. For long-term decorative use, allow fruits to dry naturally on the vine before harvesting.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Jarrahdale is a classic Australian Pumpkin producing large, deeply ribbed fruits with distinctive slate-grey skin and dense, deep orange flesh. Long established as a popular market variety, it combines excellent eating quality, manageable preparation and very good storage life.
The flesh is sweet, rich and relatively dry, with a fine texture that makes Jarrahdale an outstanding all-purpose cooking pumpkin. It is excellent roasted, baked or mashed and works beautifully in soups, curries, scones, pies and other savoury or sweet dishes. Despite the substantial fruit size, the skin is comparatively easy to cut and peel.
Jarrahdale is a genuinely Australian variety, developed in Jarrahdale, Western Australia, south-east of Perth. It became an important commercial and home-garden pumpkin and remains one of the most recognisable Australian varieties, valued for its combination of flavour, attractive grey skin and dependable keeping qualities.
Plants are vigorous, sprawling vines and require plenty of room to grow. Fruits should be allowed to mature fully on the vine where possible, as mature pumpkins develop the best flavour and storage potential.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Australian growers subsequently selected varieties particularly suited to local conditions, transport, storage and cooking, with Jarrahdale becoming one of the country's enduring contributions to pumpkin diversity.
Approximately 15 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: During the warm season, avoiding the wettest periods where disease pressure is high
Subtropics: Spring to summer
Mild climates: Spring to early summer after frost
Cold climates: Spring after all danger of frost; start indoors where the growing season is short
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil after all danger of frost has passed, or raise seedlings for transplanting once conditions are reliably warm.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and plenty of additional room for the large vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest once fruits have developed their mature slate-grey colour, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached rather than lifting by the stalk.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before moving them to a cool, dry storage area. Properly matured and cured Jarrahdale pumpkins have excellent keeping qualities.
Maturity: approximately 110–140 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Jaune Gros de Paris, meaning “Large Yellow of Paris”, is a large French heirloom pumpkin producing impressive, deeply ribbed fruits that mature to a rich golden-yellow. The thick flesh is sweet and richly flavoured, making it particularly good for soups, roasting, baking and purées.
Traditionally associated with the market gardens around Paris, this old French variety was grown for its large size, excellent eating quality and ability to keep through the colder months. Mature fruits store well when properly cured, making it a useful winter pantry pumpkin as well as a striking garden variety.
Plants form vigorous trailing vines and need plenty of room to spread. Grow in rich soil with good moisture through flowering and fruit development, then allow fruits to mature fully on the vine. Harvest once the skin has hardened and the stem begins to dry.
Seed count: approximately 5–12 seeds per gram.
Approximately 8 seeds per packet.
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: February–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–December
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, with an ideal soil temperature of approximately 20–32°C. In frost-prone climates, sow after the last frost or start seed under protection for later transplanting.
Space plants approximately 90–120 cm apart with 2–2.5 m between rows. Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil and maintain consistent moisture during active growth and fruit development. For seed saving, grow only one compatible Cucurbita maxima variety within the isolation area to reduce cross-pollination.
Maturity: approximately 105–140 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita moschata
Kent, traditionally known in Australia as Jap Pumpkin, is one of the country’s most familiar and dependable eating pumpkins. It produces rounded to slightly flattened fruits with grey-green skin, often mottled or striped with lighter markings, and firm, bright yellow to orange flesh.
The dense flesh has an excellent sweet, rich flavour and holds its texture particularly well when cooked. Kent is superb roasted, mashed or baked and is equally at home in soups, curries, stews, salads and classic pumpkin scones. Its versatility and reliable eating quality have helped make it a staple of Australian kitchens.
Despite the traditional Australian name “Jap”, Kent pumpkins are not simply a modern Japanese kabocha variety. Pumpkins of this general type have a complicated history, with related Cucurbita moschata forms recorded in the United States during the 19th century before becoming firmly established in Australian cultivation. Today, Kent is increasingly used as the preferred common name.
As a Cucurbita moschata, Kent is particularly well adapted to warm conditions and performs reliably in many of Australia’s hotter growing regions. Plants are vigorous trailing vines and require plenty of room to spread.
Mature fruits have good keeping qualities. Allow pumpkins to ripen fully on the vine and cure them after harvest for the best flavour and storage potential.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Cucurbita moschata includes many pumpkins particularly well adapted to warm and humid climates and is valued for its flavour, productivity and storage qualities.
Approximately 8 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in trays or pots for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when the fruit has developed its mature grey-green colouring, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before moving them to a cool, dry storage area.
Maturity: approximately 110 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita pepo
Kumi Kumi, also known as Kamo Kamo, is a traditional New Zealand heirloom Pumpkin or squash producing distinctive round, heavily ribbed fruits. Vigorous, hardy and productive, it is particularly valued because the fruit can be harvested at two very different stages, as a tender summer squash when young or as a mature storage pumpkin.
Young green fruits can be picked and cooked much like zucchini, with tender skin and mild flesh. Slice them into stir-fries, grill or sauté them, grate into fritters or add to soups and curries. Left to mature, the rind becomes extremely hard and changes from green towards yellow-orange, while the flesh develops a denser texture and fuller pumpkin flavour suitable for roasting, baking and soups.
Kamo Kamo has a strong association with Māori food culture in Aotearoa New Zealand and has been grown there for generations. The name is commonly applied to these distinctive ribbed squash, which became an established part of New Zealand home gardening and cooking.
The exceptionally hard shell of fully mature fruit also has a practical use. Once the flesh and seeds have been removed and the shell thoroughly dried, the sturdy rind can be used to make decorative bowls and containers.
Plants are fast-growing, sprawling vines and perform best with plenty of room to spread. As a Cucurbita pepo, Kumi Kumi grows readily in warm conditions but also performs well across cooler temperate regions provided it is planted after frost.
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in pots or trays for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and provide plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
For use as a summer squash, harvest fruits while young, green and tender. Regular picking encourages continued production. For mature pumpkins, leave fruits on the vine until the skin has fully hardened and developed its mature colouring and the stem begins to dry.
Cut mature fruit from the vine with a section of stem attached and cure in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Kuri Red, also known as Baby Red Hubbard, is a beautiful small winter Pumpkin producing distinctive teardrop-shaped fruits with smooth, vivid reddish-orange skin. Fruits generally weigh around 2–4 kg, making them a convenient size for the kitchen while still providing plenty of dense, richly flavoured flesh.
The orange flesh is smooth, sweet and notably nutty, with a characteristic flavour often compared to chestnuts. This quality is reflected in its French name Potimarron, combining potiron, meaning pumpkin, with marron, meaning chestnut. The fine, relatively dry flesh is excellent roasted, mashed or puréed and particularly good in soups, pies, baking and gnocchi.
Red Kuri belongs to the Hubbard group of Cucurbita maxima and has an interesting international history. Its ancestry is associated with squash introduced to Japan following European contact, where distinctive Japanese selections subsequently developed. Red Kuri types later became particularly popular in France and other parts of Europe, where Potimarron remains a much-loved culinary pumpkin.
One of its culinary advantages is the relatively thin skin, which softens considerably during cooking and can often be eaten along with the flesh, particularly when the pumpkin is roasted or used in soups.
Plants are vigorous trailing vines and appreciate fertile soil, consistent moisture and plenty of sunlight. Mature fruits also have good keeping qualities, with their flavour often improving after a short period of curing and storage.
Approximately 12 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in pots or trays for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and provide plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when fruits have developed their full reddish-orange colour, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing in a cool, dry place with good airflow.
Maturity: approximately 90–95 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita moschata
Musquée de Provence is a magnificent old French heirloom Pumpkin producing large, deeply ribbed, flattened fruits that mature to a warm tan or rich terracotta-brown. Fruits typically weigh around 3–6 kg and contain thick, deep orange flesh with a smooth texture and pleasantly sweet, rich flavour.
The dense flesh is excellent roasted or baked and works beautifully in soups, purées, curries, pies and other savoury or sweet dishes. Its substantial ribs also make the pumpkin particularly striking when cut into wedges for roasting.
Musquée de Provence originates from Provence in southern France, where it became a traditional market and culinary variety. It is also known as Muscade de Provence, referring to its musky or aromatic character. The deeply ribbed fruits were traditionally sold in French markets either whole or cut into large wedges, displaying the intensely coloured flesh within.
The fruits begin green and gradually mature through shades of buff and bronze to their characteristic tan-brown colouring. Mature pumpkins have excellent keeping qualities and can be stored for many months when properly cured.
As a Cucurbita moschata, Musquée de Provence enjoys warmth and has good tolerance of hot conditions. Plants are vigorous, sprawling vines and require plenty of space, particularly given the size and weight of the mature fruit.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Cucurbita moschata subsequently became particularly important in warmer regions, where numerous distinctive local varieties were selected for flavour, productivity and storage.
Approximately 8 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in pots or trays for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and provide plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when fruits have developed their mature tan to brown colouring, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Properly cured fruits have excellent long-term storage potential.
Maturity: approximately 125 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita moschata
Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck is a remarkable American heirloom Pumpkin producing very large fruits with long, curved necks and a swollen seed cavity at the base. Beneath the tan skin is thick, deep orange flesh with a rich, sweet and distinctly nutty flavour.
The long solid neck contains very few seeds, providing an unusually generous amount of usable flesh and making the fruit particularly convenient for cooking despite its impressive size. The dense, smooth flesh is superb roasted or baked and excellent for soups, purées, pies, pumpkin bread and other sweet or savoury dishes.
This old variety has a strong association with Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish farming communities, where it has been maintained for generations as a productive food and storage crop. Its excellent flavour, large yield of flesh and ability to keep well made it particularly valuable for winter cooking.
Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck is also historically important as one of the old crookneck Cucurbita moschata types from which the modern Butternut squash was developed. Butternut retained the characteristic long, fleshy neck and small seed cavity while being selected for a more compact and manageable fruit.
Plants are vigorous, sprawling vines requiring plenty of space and a long growing season. As a Cucurbita moschata, they appreciate warmth and perform particularly well in warm climates.
Mature fruits have excellent keeping qualities. Their thick skin and dense flesh allow properly cured pumpkins to remain useful for months after harvest.
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in pots or trays for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and provide considerable additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Allow the fruits to mature fully on the vine. Harvest when the tan rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry, cutting the fruit from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing in a cool, dry place with good airflow.
Maturity: approximately 130 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita maxima
Queensland Blue is a classic Australian heirloom Pumpkin producing large, deeply ribbed fruits with distinctive dark slate-blue to grey skin. Beneath the tough rind is dense, deep orange flesh with an excellent sweet, rich pumpkin flavour.
The firm, relatively dry flesh holds its shape beautifully during cooking and is particularly good for roasting. It is equally suited to soups, curries, stews, mash, pies, baking and traditional pumpkin scones. Its combination of flavour, texture and generous fruit size has made Queensland Blue an enduring favourite in Australian kitchens.
Developed in Australia and closely associated with Queensland, this variety became an important home garden and market pumpkin. Its thick, hard skin made it particularly valuable in the days when produce needed to withstand handling, transport and extended storage without refrigeration.
Queensland Blue is also an excellent keeper. When fruits are allowed to mature fully on the vine and are properly cured after harvest, they can be stored for many months. The hard rind protects the dense flesh within and made varieties like this especially valuable as a dependable household food crop.
Plants are vigorous, sprawling vines and require plenty of room to grow. As a Cucurbita maxima, Queensland Blue appreciates warm growing conditions but performs particularly well across temperate and subtropical Australian regions.
Pumpkins originated in the Americas and have been cultivated for thousands of years before spreading throughout the world. Australian growers subsequently developed and maintained distinctive varieties suited to local conditions, with Queensland Blue becoming one of the country’s best-known heritage pumpkins.
Approximately 20 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in pots or trays for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–2 m between plants and provide plenty of additional room for the vigorous vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when the fruits have developed their characteristic slate-blue to grey colour, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Properly matured and cured Queensland Blue pumpkins have excellent keeping qualities.
Maturity: approximately 100–140 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
Cucurbita pepo
Small Sugar, also known as New England Pie, is a classic American heirloom Pumpkin producing manageable, flattened globe-shaped fruits with smooth orange skin. Fruits can reach approximately 30 cm across and are renowned for their thick, sweet flesh and excellent culinary quality.
The yellow to deep golden flesh is dense, smooth and notably low in stringiness, making Small Sugar particularly well suited to purées and baking. It has long been regarded as one of the finest pumpkins for traditional pumpkin pie, but is equally delicious roasted, mashed or used in soups, breads, muffins and other sweet or savoury dishes.
Small Sugar has been grown in North America since at least the 19th century and is closely associated with traditional New England cooking. Unlike the large pumpkins grown primarily for carving or exhibition, it was selected specifically as an eating pumpkin, with manageable fruit, thick flesh and good sweetness.
Its compact fruit size is also practical for the home kitchen, as a single pumpkin can be used without producing the enormous quantity of leftover flesh associated with larger storage varieties.
As a Cucurbita pepo, Small Sugar belongs to the same diverse species as zucchini, many summer squashes and numerous ornamental gourds. Plants are vigorous trailing vines and perform best in warm soil, full sun and fertile growing conditions.
Approximately 10 seeds per packet
When to Plant (Australia)
Tropics: March–August
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed
Planting / Sowing
Sow approximately 20–30 mm deep directly into warm, prepared soil, or raise seedlings in pots or trays for transplanting. In frost-prone climates, wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting outside.
Grow in full sun in rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 1–1.5 m between plants and provide additional room for the vines to spread.
Keep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.
Harvest when fruits have developed their mature orange colour, the rind has hardened and the stem begins to dry. Cut from the vine with a generous section of stem attached.
Cure mature pumpkins in a warm, dry, well-ventilated position before storing in a cool, dry place with good airflow.
Maturity: approximately 80–118 days.
Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.
