Casper White Pumpkin

Casper White Pumpkin is your friendly ghost-white pumpkin that will be sure to please at Halloween! This 10-16 pound pumpkin grows all-white, softly ribbed, globe shape pumpkins at 9-12 inches in diameter, with a thick orange flesh that is of excellent eating quality. The plants are vigorous and easy to grow, producing strong vines that yield a bounty of beautiful pumpkins perfect for decorating, crafting, or even cooking. Their striking color makes them ideal for creating chic, monochromatic autumn decorations or adding a modern twist to classic Halloween and Thanksgiving displays. The smooth, firm flesh inside is not only perfect for carving and painting, but it also offers a subtle, sweet flavor, making it great for pies, soups, and baked goods. These pumpkins have an impressive shelf life, allowing you to enjoy their beauty for weeks after harvest, or use them for seasonal centerpieces and arrangements.

Squash is one of the plants grown in the traditional Native American vegetable growing technique called the Three Sisters. The other two plants in the Three Sisters are beans and corn. Each plant had its role in this companion planting tradition. Corn served as a structure for the vining beans to grow up. Squash served as a ground cover to prevent weeds from growing. Beans provided natural fertilizer for all.

Also Known As: Lumina Pumpkin, White Queen Pumpkin, Carving Pumpkin, Polar Bear Pumpkin, Ghost Pumpkin, White Jack-O'-Lantern, Snowball Pumpkin, Arctic Pumpkin, Ivory Pumpkin, Frosted Pumpkin, Albino Pumpkin.

Plant Name:	Pumpkin, Casper
Latin Name:	Curcubita pepo
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	100
Plant Height:	18 - 36 Inches
Spread:	8 - 12 Feet
Growth Habit:	Vining
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 8 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Pumpkins grows best in warm weather.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is reliably above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. Optionally, train plants to climb a 6-8 foot trellis or fence as they establish, spacing plants 3 feet apart at the base, and prepare additional support for the heavy pumpkins as they grow.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing Pumpkins outdoors, plant in mid-late spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not typically recommended unless planting in climates with mild winters (USDA Zones 9-11) - plant at least 3-4 months before the first expected frost date - or growing indoors at >70F using supplemental grow lights.

To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 4 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Optionally, train plants to climb a 6-8 foot trellis or fence as they establish and prepare additional support for the heavy squash as they grow.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	4 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	3 feet (trellis) or 8 feet (sprawl)

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once to twice a week. If there is no rainfall, water 3-4 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-3 weeks after germination, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Optionally, continue fertilizing every 3-4 weeks as plants grow, especially after flowering begins. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest Casper White pumpkins when they reach their full size, typically 10-12 inches in diameter, and their skin develops a smooth, firm texture with a bright white color. This usually occurs around 90-105 days after planting, in late summer to early fall. Check the stem-if it starts to dry and harden, the pumpkin is ready for harvest. Use sharp pruners or a knife to cut the stem 2-4 inches above the pumpkin, as a longer stem helps with storage longevity. Handle them carefully to avoid bruising, and let them cure in a warm, dry place for about 7-10 days before storing in a cool, dark location. Be sure to harvest before the first frost to prevent damage.