Old-world charm with pie-perfect flavor!
Shaped like a wheel of cheese and packed with rich, sweet flesh, Long Island Cheese pumpkins are a baker’s dream. This heirloom variety has been gracing American gardens since the 1800s, offering both beauty and utility. With its smooth tan skin and fine-grained interior, it’s the secret ingredient to unforgettable autumn pies.
Variety: Long Island Cheese Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)
Growth Habit: Warm-season annual with vines up to 10–15 feet
Height: Sprawling vines
Flavor Profile: Sweet, smooth, and rich
Color: Tan skin with deep orange flesh
Planting Conditions: Full sun and well-drained, fertile soil
Harvest Timeline: 100–110 days to maturity
Uses: Ideal for pies, soups, roasting, and long storage
Fun Fact: Named for its resemblance to a wheel of cheese, this heirloom has been prized for generations for its culinary excellence and storage life.
Long Island Cheese pumpkins are the go-to for traditional pumpkin pie, smooth, sweet, and easy to work with. Their fine-grained flesh also shines in soups and roasts, adding a rich, earthy flavor to fall meals. And with their elegant shape and muted color, they double as rustic décor for your kitchen or porch.
To Full Size
🌞 Choose a Sunny Spot: Plant in full sun with rich, well-drained soil.
🌱 Sow the Seeds: Direct sow 1 inch deep, spacing hills 3–4 feet apart.
💧 Water Regularly: Keep soil moist but not soggy, especially during fruit development.
🌿 Thin and Maintain: Once seedlings emerge, thin to 2–3 plants per hill.
✂️ Harvest: Pick when the skin is firm and fully tan. Cure in a warm, dry place for longer storage.
