Fairytale Pumpkin is a French heirloom that originated in Musquee de Provence, France. This large pie pumpkin has a succulent flavor that is perfect for pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, soups and many other baked pumpkin dishes. Fairytale Pumpkin has vigorous vines that can extend as far as 10′ from the base of the plant. Pumpkins resemble a large cheese wheel with a tan exterior and flattened shape. Fairytale pumpkins will average 12-18″ in diameter and 15-20 lbs. They have a dense center with a large meat to cavity ratio. The flesh is a delicate, red-orange color.
Pumpkins may be direct seeded or transplanted, although we highly recommend direct seeding. To ensure a good stand, we recommend planting seeds every 12″ along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Pumpkins can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well.
Pumpkins are a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. Â They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears. Pumpkins can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, depending on variety and sugar content. Once fruits are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all pumpkin varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure.
Fairytale Pumpkin Planting Information
Planting Method: direct seed
When to Plant: after last frost
Planting Depth: 1/2″
Seed Spacing: 18-24″
Row Spacing: 5-6′
Days to Maturity: 90
Disease Resistance: None
Brooke (verified owner) –
These grew the thickest, meatiest pie pumpkins that I’ve ever seen. From a pack of seeds planting in 6 hills, we only had 6 pumpkins. Average 1 per hill. Dry year for us but each pumpkin made A LOT of puree. From only those 6 pumpkins we have 50 cups of pumpkin puree in the freezer. Because of this pumpkin, I made the best muffins I’ve ever had! And still have an abundance of puree put back to make more muffins, bread, and cakes.
Michele –
Grew this for the first time in 2022. I was able to get 3 very nice sized pumpkins just in time for decorating for Halloween. I normally have a very hard time growing pumpkins due to pests. These were beautiful and I will grow them again. They also have stored amazingly well. It is February and I just cooked up my last one.