{"product_id":"pumpkin-queensland-blue-1294","title":"Pumpkin Queensland Blue Seeds","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCucurbita maxima\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueensland 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueensland 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are vigorous, sprawling vines and require plenty of room to grow. As a \u003cem\u003eCucurbita maxima\u003c\/em\u003e, Queensland Blue appreciates warm growing conditions but performs particularly well across temperate and subtropical Australian regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePumpkins 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximately 20 seeds per packet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to Plant (Australia)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTropics: March–August\u003cbr\u003eSubtropics: August–February\u003cbr\u003eMild climates: September–January\u003cbr\u003eCold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting \/ Sowing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep plants consistently watered during active growth, flowering and fruit development. Water deeply at soil level where possible rather than regularly wetting the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarvest 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCure 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaturity: approximately 100–140 days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDue to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eden Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Packet","offer_id":46375883014362,"sku":"prefix_681c1f72af90f8.13643561","price":3.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20g","offer_id":46375883047130,"sku":"prefix_681c1f72af9135.03434775","price":13.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/4866\/8890\/files\/V_Pumpkin_QLDBlue.jpg?v=1772495793","url":"https:\/\/www.edenseeds.com.au\/products\/pumpkin-queensland-blue-1294","provider":"Eden Seeds ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}