Hmm, your pumpkin troubles are intriguing! I love a good garden mystery:)
Even though I covered my garden, I lost most of it to a hard freeze night before last when the cold front that brought that horrible fire-stoking windstorm with it came through. I am sad, but honestly this kind of thing happens quite often around here, and I have a ton of pumpkins so I can't complain. I hope your plants aren't too ravaged, this year has been quite something growing season-wise. Well, actually about everything-wise lol!
I have had a ton of good pumpkin luck with Amish pie and Connecticut Field pumpkins, have you only ever tried Sugar? Can you tell I am dying of curiosity about your lack of pumpkin plight?
And it's comments like yours that make Hive so great, thank you so, so much for stopping by:)
Yeah, I have only grown Sugar pumpkin.
The thing about Pumpkins that is hard for new gardeners is that the seed descriptions usually describe the fruit as being ornamental, large, good for carving, or ideal for pies. Yet, I think many pumpkins probably have a combination of these traits, but are most known for being large, for instance.
So I have always grown Sugar pumpkin, thinking it was the only one ideal for pie, and an easier size to deal with. I know there are more varieties good for cooking with, but the only way to know is from people who have grown them and can make recommendations.
Cherokee Tan pumpkin is one I have learned about online that is ideal for cooking, and seems to have very hardy, almost weedlike nature, hard to fail with. Thinking about giving that one a go next year if I can get a hold of the rare seeds.
Where do you purchase your seeds from? They do not carry Amish Pie or Connecticut Field in local stores where I live. Jack-O-Lantern has also been recommended to me as an easy, reliable one to grow for pies, and those are stocked everywhere.
I am so sorry I am so slow in replying, this week has been a bit, er, intense lol!
When it comes to my seed procurement, I order most of them online. Pinetree seeds, Trueleaf market, Baker Creek heirloom seeds, and Johnny's Seeds have all been utilized by moi. We have a challenging microclimate and short growing season here in North Idaho so I am always on the lookout for a variety that can take the heat, cold, and all out intensity in my realm.
Cherokee Tan sounds super intriguing, I hope you can get ahold of some of them, I would love to read about your experiences with growing them:)
I have grown Jack-O-Lantern too, they are super hardy and easy to grow. I could honestly go on for days about pumpkins because they are something I have had a ton of luck with, but I have to go open the library now, and I promise I won't take five days to reply to you this time:)