What Pumpkins Should I Grow?

Out here where I live (on Long Island, NY) everyone pretty much relies on the farmstands and supermarkets to get their pumpkins come the fall, with the main variety grown being Cucurbita Pepo or Howden pumpkins, which are the type traditionally used for carving Jack O' Lanterns, but can also be harvested much smaller, producing the small, cute pumpkins you often see. This variety of pumpkin is also traditionally used in canned pie filling.

If this is your first time growing pumpkin, you'd probably be best with Cucurbita Pepo or Howden, According to various websites offering instructions on growing pumpkins, if you want to try your hand at growing some really huge pumpkins, then what you want is the Prizewinner variety, such as Big Max or Dillís Atlantic Giant. If you want really small pumpkins for decorative purposes, then try Jack-Be-Little or Baby Boo. For mouth-watering pies, try the compact Spirit Bush Hybrid. Baby Bear is a decorative variety that is sweet for cooking. Its nearly hulless seeds are great for toasted snacks and its size is perfect for children to carve.

You can find some good pics and info for some of the more common types of pumpkins grown at this LINK.