Seminole pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). What better name for a true Florida native food forest plant, right? It is a type of squash that is native to the southeastern United States and is well-suited for growing in a food forest or as a survival crop in Florida. In fact, the name of the town, Chassahowitzka, just south of where I am now, is said to mean “land of the hanging pumpkins.” The natives are said to have planted and cultivated the pumpkins in this area and let the vines run up the trees and the fruits would hang down. The pumpkin has a hard, thick skin and a sweet, orange flesh that is high in vitamins and minerals. It can be cooked in a variety of ways and is a versatile and nutritious addition to any diet. The appearance can vary from a small, round, pale orange pumpkin to a more flattened green skin look. It is truly suited to our climate here as other more traditional pumpkins don’t like the heat, humidity, and large amounts of monsoon type rains we get here in the summer. It can also cross with other pumpkin varieties like calabaza.
Here are some tips for planting and caring for Seminole pumpkin in a food forest in Florida:
Choose a sunny location: Seminole pumpkin requires full sun to grow well, so choose a location in your food forest that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Prepare the soil: Seminole pumpkin prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting, add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil to improve its fertility and structure. Seminole pumpkin also prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
Plant the seeds: Seminole pumpkin seeds can be started indoors or directly in the ground. To start the seeds indoors, fill a seed tray or pots with seed starting mix and plant the seeds about 1 inch deep. Water the seeds well and place the tray or pots in a warm, sunny location. When the seedlings are about 3 inches tall, transplant them into the ground. Just be as gentle as possible as they don’t like transplantation too much. Alternatively, you can plant the seeds directly in the ground after the last frost has passed. Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep, spacing them about 3-4 feet apart. You can also let them run up a trellis or other living natural structure.
Water and fertilize regularly: Seminole pumpkin requires regular watering, especially during dry spells. Water the plants deeply to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. Fertilize the plants with an all-purpose fertilizer or compost every few months to provide additional nutrients.
Harvest and cook the pumpkin: Seminole pumpkin is ready to harvest when the skin is hard and the stem is dry. Cut the pumpkin from the vine using a sharp knife, leaving a few inches of stem attached. To cook the pumpkin, cut it into small, evenly-sized pieces and remove the seeds. The pumpkin can be boiled, roasted, or baked, and it can be used in soups, stews, pies, and other dishes. They can be stored for quite a long time, up to a year or more due to their hard outer skin making them an ideal survival crop. As a bonus, the terminal ends of the vine (cooked) and the flowers are edible. You can eat the male flowers as the females subsequently produce the pumpkin.
You can successfully grow Seminole pumpkin in your food forest or as a survival crop in Florida. The pumpkin is a reliable and nutritious source of food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways and is a valuable addition to any edible landscape. It’s really one of my favorites and just so appropriate to a natural Florida food forest.