What are heirloom pumpkin seeds?

Heirloom pumpkin seeds are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down through generations. Unlike hybrids, you can save seeds from heirloom pumpkins and grow the same variety year after year. All our seeds are non-GMO and open-pollinated.

What growing zone are your seeds tested in?

All our seeds are grown and tested on our Zone 6b homestead in Newton, Kansas. Most of our varieties also perform well in Zones 5-9. Each product listing includes specific growing zone recommendations.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes! We offer free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Orders under $25 pay USPS calculated shipping. Seeds ship via USPS First Class, and coffee ships fresh within 48 hours of roasting.

What makes your coffee different?

Our Prairie coffee is small-batch roasted right here on the Kansas prairie. We roast weekly to ensure freshness. Available in Prairie Sunrise (light roast) and Prairie Blaze (medium roast), both in ground or whole bean.

Are your pumpkin seeds vine borer resistant?

Many of our Cucurbita moschata varieties are naturally resistant to squash vine borers, including Seminole Pumpkin, Long Island Cheese, Tromboncino, and Mrs. Amersons. We highlight vine borer resistance on each product page.

March 05, 2026

Autumn Frost F1 Pumpkin: Growing the Cold-Hardy Moschata Hybrid in Kansas

By Autumn Prairie Pumpkins

Autumn Frost is a relatively new Cucurbita moschata hybrid that solves a real problem: most moschata varieties need a long, warm season to mature, which can get tight in Zone 6b when fall comes early. Autumn Frost was bred to mature faster than traditional moschata types while keeping the vine borer resistance and rich flavor the species is known for. And it does it all while looking absolutely gorgeous, the skin has a distinctive frosted, silvery-green appearance that makes it one of the prettiest pumpkins in any fall display.

For Kansas gardeners who love moschata reliability but have been burned by early frosts catching late-maturing varieties, Autumn Frost is the answer. It gives you the disease resistance, the pest resistance, and the eating quality, with a safety margin on timing.

Why Autumn Frost Works in Kansas

The maturity window is 85–95 days, shorter than most moschata varieties by 2–3 weeks. That difference matters in Zone 6b when a surprise September cold snap can catch longer-season varieties off guard. Plant in mid-May and you're looking at harvest by mid-August to early September, with plenty of time for curing before the first hard frost.

Vine borer resistance is the standard moschata level, strong and reliable. Autumn Frost also carries good powdery mildew resistance, which is a hybrid advantage over many open-pollinated heirloom varieties.

The fruits are medium-sized (5–8 lbs), flattened to round, with prominent ribs and that signature frosted skin. They're beautiful enough for decoration and flavorful enough for serious cooking.

K-State's squash vine borer guide (MF3309) covers Kansas-specific growing advice that applies to all moschata pumpkins, including Autumn Frost.

How to Grow Autumn Frost in Kansas (Zone 6b)

Starting Seeds

Direct sow mid-May, 1 inch deep, 2–3 seeds per hill. Thin to strongest. The shorter maturity means you don't need as much of a head start, but indoor sowing 2–3 weeks early still works if you want earlier fruit. Germinates in 7–10 days at 70°F soil temperature.

Spacing

5–6 feet between plants in rows 7–8 feet apart. Autumn Frost vines are moderately vigorous, compact enough for mid-sized gardens but still need room for good airflow.

Soil and Fertility

Well-drained, compost-amended soil. pH 6.0–6.8. Moderate feeder. Balanced fertilizer at planting, one side-dressing when vines run. Hybrids tend to be efficient feeders, don't over-fertilize.

Watering

1–1.5 inches per week through fruit development. Drip irrigation preferred. Reduce watering as fruit approaches maturity to help with curing and sugar concentration.

Harvest and Storage

Harvest when the frosted skin is firm, the stem is corky, and the fruit feels heavy for its size. The silvery-green color deepens slightly at maturity. Cut with 3 inches of stem. Cure 10–14 days in a warm, dry area. Autumn Frost stores 3–5 months, good for a hybrid, though shorter-lived in storage than some of the traditional heirlooms.

Autumn Frost in the Kitchen

The flesh is deep orange, sweet, and smooth-textured. Roast halves at 375°F for 40–50 minutes until fork-tender. The flavor is classic moschata, sweet, nutty, with good depth. It makes excellent soup, pie filling, and roasted wedges.

The medium size is convenient for family meals, one fruit typically feeds 3–4 people as a side dish. The flesh purees smoothly with minimal stringing.

A Note on Seed Saving

Autumn Frost is an F1 hybrid, which means saved seeds will not grow true to type. Each generation from saved seed will show unpredictable variation. For consistent results, purchase fresh seed each season. This is the trade-off with hybrids, you get the improved performance (earlier maturity, better disease resistance) but you can't save your own seed the way you can with open-pollinated heirlooms.

The Early Bird Moschata

Autumn Frost F1 Pumpkin Seeds ship from Newton, Kansas. Browse all our vine borer resistant pumpkin and squash seeds.

More growing guides: Autumn Crown F1 Pumpkin Growing Guide · New England Cheddar F1 Growing Guide · Spell Cast F1 Pumpkin Growing Guide

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