Type
carving pumpkin
Pumpkin variety
Howden Pumpkin
A widely grown jack-o'-lantern type with good shape, sturdy handles, and bright orange color. It is a standard choice for traditional carving pumpkins.
Days to maturity
115
Best for
Halloween carving
About Howden
Howden is the classic commercial Halloween jack-o-lantern pumpkin, developed on a Massachusetts farm and long treated as the industry standard for carving. It produces large, tall to round fruit around 20 to 30 pounds with a deep orange rind, pronounced ribbing, and a strong, sturdy handle. The flesh is relatively thin and stringy, so it is chosen for carving and display rather than cooking.
Growing Howden Pumpkin
Plan for long, spreading vines by allowing about 4 to 6 feet between plants and roughly 100 to 115 days to maturity. Consistent moisture and rich soil support the large fruit size, but watch for powdery mildew late in the season and keep foliage as dry as possible. Harvest when the rind is uniformly orange and the handle has begun to dry, leaving a long stem intact for the best carving pumpkins.
Full growing guide
For planting dates, care, and harvest that apply to all pumpkins, see the complete guide.
How to grow PumpkinsOther pumpkins varieties
Variety characteristics are general guidance for US home gardens; performance varies by climate, soil, and season. Seed and plant availability differs by supplier. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.