Pumpkin 'Ironbark' (Organic)
Cucurbita maximaAn iconic Australian heirloom dating back to the goldmining era in central Victoria, this 1950s heirloom features dark thick bumpy skin that was reputed to become so hard, you’d need an axe to open it. Inside, the dense bright-orange flesh is sweet and delicious. Described as needing a wheelbarrow to take the pumpkins to market, and a butchers cleaver to open them. Proudly preserved by Diggers. Limited stock.
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Pumpkin 'Ironbark' (Organic)
An iconic Australian heirloom that is as thick skinned as any politician, making it our best storing pumpkin. Dense bright orange flesh is sweet and delicious when baked- always popular in our in house taste tests. A proud Australian contribution to the diverse world of Heirlooms. Australian blue skinned pumpkins have a global reputation. Brought back into circulation by The Diggers Club from a handful of seeds donated by a farmer from Central Victoria, and first trialled by us in 1995, this iconic Australian heirloom pumpkin has been grown by us every year since. A proud re-introduction of another Aussie heirloom icon. In true Aussie style, the name Ironbark relates to the tough skin which was said to require an axe to cut it open.
Pumpkins are the easiest of the cucurbits to grow, they are big feeders, so dig in plenty of well rotted manure where they are to grow. They germinate easily in warm soil, gardeners in cooler areas can start their seedlings in pots in a warm spot and plant out after risk of frost has passed. Pumpkins need plenty of water as they grow, mulch well to conserve moisture and eliminate weeds. Harvest pumpkins when the stalk attaching it to the vine turns woody and corky. Cut (not tear) the stalk from the plant. Never lift the pumpkin by this 'handle' as if it breaks off the pumpkin will go mouldy within days.