Pumpkin Seeds - Jack Be Little

Growing Jack Be Little Pumpkin Garden Seeds

Sowing & Growing:

These miniature pumpkins should be started indoors in early spring or 2-3 weeks before your region's final frost. In southern climates, sow Jack Be Little Pumpkin seeds outdoors in spring or fall, In northern climates, sow Jack Be Little Pumpkin seeds outdoors in May, as long as the threat of frost has passed. JBL varieties prefer a temperature range of 65-85°. Sow Jack Be Little Pumpkin seeds in either trays or in a large container 18" deep. Plant 2-3 seeds 1" deep in an even mixture of potting soil, peat moss and vermiculite. Germination will take 1-2 weeks. Keep soil moist and warm as Jack Be Little Pumpkin seedlings sprout 1-2 sets of true leaves. Then allow 1-2 of the strongest heirloom pumpkins to grow in their own container, as you cut back the less successful plants. Transplant developing pumpkin plants to a larger container if needed. Water JBL plants 1" per week and place in full sun for 6-8 hours. Use a trellis to help support the strong vines and growth of this bush variety, as these hardy plants can reach 5-10!" For outdoor planting, sow Jack Be Little seeds in groups 1-2" deep, 3" apart and up to 6" spaced in between rows. Jack Be Little Pumpkins prefer a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer at the time of planting and loamy, rich, well-drained soil with a pH level of 5.5-6.5. As these heirloom pumpkins self-pollinate, JBL female flowers will bloom around 2 weeks after the male flowers produce. Switch to a phosphorus-based fertilizer. Once Jack Be Littles develop their bright-orange polished texture and grow to their miniature size, it's recommended to use a potassium fertilizer in order to help these pumpkin plants produce for a long summer season and Halloween harvest. Miniature heirloom pumpkins develop a sweet and slight acidic flavor that becomes savory when cooked. Jack Be Little Pumpkins make perfect candied dishes or a tasty pumpkin curry. Whether you're a city-dwelling gardener with limited space or a beginner who wants to add holiday flair to their fall decor, Jack Be Little Pumpkin seeds are easily grown in containers, disease-resistant and succeed in fluctuating climates.

Harvesting:

Harvest Jack Be Little miniature pumpkins 90-95 days from the sowing date or once the skin is tough and their stems have dried. Be sure to allow heirloom pumpkins to fully develop their bright-orange color and be careful handling their long vines. Use gardening shears or a knife to cut the Jack Be Littles from their vine, leaving a 2-3" of the stem intact. It's recommended to not hold pumpkins from their stem, as this part of the plant is essential to setting on your porch as decor. You can savor the sweet flavor of JBL pumpkins in a holiday dish like pumpkin pie or even store them for up to a year after being cured! These palm-sized pumpkins are members of the cucurbitaceae family and are technically considered a gourd.

Facts:

Cucurbita pepo are squash-like are an ancient crop found in Northeast Mexico and later cultivated by the Natives in the United States. Miniature heirlooms such as Jack Be Little Pumpkins, are technically gourds. These smaller-sized pumpkin varieties were first developed in 1989 and are more hardy than others!