Today I am going to share with you why I think everyone should grow one of my favorite heirloom vegetables, Blue Jarrahdale Pumpkins!
One of my most favorite foods to grow, are the beautiful blue Jarrahdale Pumpkins. Everyone who has a vegetable garden should grow them! If you don't, you will see these gorgeous blue pumpkins at your neighbors house and wish you had some of your own!
It is almost seed buying time, so definitely put these on your list! OK, here we go, these are the reasons why you need to grow Jarrahdale blue pumpkins! And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for a great list of other fun pumpkins to grow!
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So Many Unique Heirloom Squash & Pumpkin Varieties!
7 Reasons to Grow Blue Jarrahdale Squash
1. Blue Pumpkins ... need I say more?
Can pumpkins be blue? Why yes they can! Who doesn't love a blue pumpkin? Blue Jarrahdale are a gorgeous blue-green-greyish color.
They contrast beautifully with the traditional orange, or also look great with white pumpkins, for a more modern farmhouse design! Stack them in alternating colors on your front porch, and you will be the envy of your neighborhood!
Another great blue green pumpkin option is the Blue Doll Pumpkin! It has more of a squat round shape, where the Jarrahdale is more of a blocky, chunky shape, but their color is very similar. A third option is the Queensland Blue Pumpkin, I have not grown this one before, but believe it resembles the Blue Doll more than the Jarrahdale. As you can see, there are several blue heirloom pumpkin options!
2. They are a great investment!
If you are trying to get a lot of bang for your buck in the food department, you need to grow the Jarrahdale Pumpkin. If cured correctly, (let sit in the sun for 7-10 days after harvesting, which allows the skin to harden) they can last up to 12 months in a cool dark place in your home like a closet or unheated room, even under a bed.
On average, mine have weighed about 15 lbs each, some get much larger than that even! That is easy peasy long lasting, whole, real, healthy food that is inexpensive, so they are great for the budget. Especially if you grow them yourself!
3. They can make you some money!
If you sell at a farmer's market or have a farm stand at the end of your driveway, you can bet these will be top sellers. Most people haven't seen a blue pumpkin before, because they are not your average run of the mill orange pumpkin. Grow some for you, and grow some to sell! Or just share with your friends and family.
4. They taste delicious: Homemade Pumpkin Puree
These are my absolute favorite pumpkin or winter squash for eating. It used to be Butternut Squash, but I think these are even better and are often much larger than an average Butternut, so more bang for your buck. See my this article that shows you how to roast them, and freeze the fruit in baggies for easy use in cooking.
Instead of grabbing for that can of pumpkin that most folks buy at the grocery store, grow it yourself! By putting some in the freezer that has already been cooked, it than becomes easy to use in everything from pumpkin curry to pumpkin pie and everything in between! Also see How to Cook Winter Squash in an Instant Pot
5. They have an amazing texture!
These are not stringy at all, like many pumpkins. They are also super dense, and not watery. Almost creamy. Perfect in my opinion. Almost like lump-free mashed potatoes.
6. Pumpkins are super healthy!
Everyone should eat more pumpkins, as they are easy to grow, you get a LOT of food from them, and they are super nutritious. They are super high in beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin A & C and potassium.
Use them in pies, smoothies, or cut them up in chunks and roast them and serve as a side for dinner. Use them in curries or soups. Or, roast them, and use the leftovers to top your salad for lunch the next day. One of my favorite ways to use them is in this Pumpkin Spice Steel Cut Oats recipe for breakfast! Or try this Veggie Root Mash with Squash recipe with them! Think outside the box!
7. They are super easy to grow!!!
Winter squash and pumpkins are one of the things I always recommend people grow when they are just starting out with vegetable gardening. All they really need is some space, a sunny location, and some good fertile well draining soil.
If you are looking into becoming a more self sustainable gardener, instead of just having a hobby vegetable garden, these Blue Jarrahdale pumpkins are one food you should definitely have in your garden. Easy to grow and provides a LOT of nutritious food! And they store for a long time without any effort.
Other Cool Pumpkins to Grow!
Well, now you know why you should grow blue Jarrahdale Pumpkins. But there are lots of cool pumpkins to grow. This weekend I was looking at seeds and growing my order list, and found these fun ones too!
French Musquee de Provence Pumpkin
So go put them on your seed list, and share the seed with your friends and family Or don't share the seed, and amaze them all at harvest time next year!
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Nancy W says
Definitely adding to my list of seeds to buy! They are so beautiful!
Tamara says
You will love them Nancy!
Jennifer Cook says
These are striking in their color but I love you explained the texture as well. Looks like a great addition to the garden!
Tamara says
Hi Jennifer, I am excited because this year I found white pumpkins and peach pumpkins that have a similar shape. I think the three colors put together when decorating the front porch will look pretty cool!
Emma @ Mistfit Gardening says
These pumpkins did really well for me over trellis with support, even after I was losing other pumpkin plants to mildew and they tolerated my dry summers too. I was pleasantly surprised with the taste, the Marina de Chioggia pumpkins are my favorite for taste but these were close!
Tamara says
Hi Emma! I have some Marina de Chioggia to try this year, I am excited about them! Glad these did so well for you when others did not! Thanks for visiting!
Krystal @ Three Wondrous Acres Homestead says
I really want to grow these pumpkins, I love how decorative they are! I just need to see if I can locate those seeds in a trade this year!
Deanne says
I just bought my first Jarrahdale pumpkin today at an Orchard in Nicholasville, Ky. where I live. It is so beautiful and I am so excited. The stem is even gorgeous.
I have fallen in love with growing pumpkins. It is so much fun to watch them grow. And next year, we will be growing Jarrahdales..
I also love that my five year old grandson wakes up every morning and says...”Grammy, can we walk over to the garden and check the pumpkins?”...PRICELESS!
Angela Morgan says
I want to try growing these! Where do you buy your seeds? My usual source (Territorial Seeds) does not carry them.
Tamara says
Hi Angela! Keep checking back with them as I am sure I have bought them from Territorial before. I've also got them from Baker Creek Seeds and Johnny's I think. They shouldn't be too hard to find, just keep checking! Good luck!
Cody says
They can last up to 12 months in a cool dark place.
I'm sold on growing Jaradale pumpkins!
Jon says
I grew these for the first time this summer. Have 3 currently sunning themselves in the garden. Did not realize how big the leaves and plants are, so give them room.