Seeds
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Seeds, Classic Heirloom Pie Pumpkin
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Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Seeds, a pre-Civil War American heirloom (Cucurbita moschata) shaped like a wheel of cheese. The classic pie pumpkin, vine borer resistant, with smooth, sweet flesh. Grown and tested at our Kansas homestead.
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Named for its wheel-of-cheese shape, this pre-Civil War heirloom was once the most popular pie pumpkin on the East Coast. Smooth, sweet flesh with fine grain that bakes beautifully.
Quick Specs
| Species | Cucurbita moschata The moschata group is the one that matters in a Kansas July. Solid, dense stems that vine borer larvae struggle to tunnel, and genuine tolerance for heat and humidity. Why species predicts survival here. |
| Type | Open-pollinated heirloom |
| Days to maturity | 100 to 110 days |
| Fruit size | 6 to 15 lbs |
| Plant spacing | 36 to 48 inches |
| Sun | Full sun, 6+ hours |
| Vine borer resistance | Good, moschata type |
| Storage life | 3 to 5 months |
| Peak eating window | Cure 7 to 10 days, flavor peaks 1 to 2 months after harvest |
| Seeds per pack | 10 or 20 |
| Best for | Pies, classic heirloom, fall baking |
Growing Guide
Cucurbita moschata
Annual
105 days
Full sun
36-48″ apart
1″
Vine
6-15 lbs
Buff/tan
Pie, eating
No
Yes, 3 weeks
No
Vine borer resistant
Also known as: Cheese pumpkin
History & Origin
One of the oldest American pumpkin varieties, Long Island Cheese dates to pre-colonial times and was a staple crop for Indigenous peoples and early European settlers alike. Named for its resemblance to a wheel of cheese, this flat, buff-colored pumpkin appears in American seed catalogs dating back to the 1800s. Its revival among heirloom growers has restored a variety that was nearly lost to commercial agriculture.
In the Kitchen
Many pie enthusiasts consider Long Island Cheese the finest pie pumpkin in existence. The sweet, creamy flesh needs minimal sugar and produces an incredibly smooth custard. Also outstanding in soups, ravioli, and gnocchi. Roast wedges with brown butter and sage for a Colonial-era side dish.
Related Reading
Untreated, open-pollinated heirloom seed. No fungicide coating. Save your own seed from your strongest fruit and grow it again next year.
Quick Specs
| Species | Cucurbita moschata |
| Days to maturity | 100 to 108 |
| Sowing | 1 in deep, hills 5 to 6 ft apart |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Vine habit | Vines 10 to 15 ft |
| Fruit size | 6 to 10 lb |
| Pest resistance | Highly vine borer resistant. Solid moschata stems are hard for borer larvae to tunnel into. Resistant, not immune, so still scout in June and July. |
Common Questions
Is Long Island Cheese Pumpkin really vine borer resistant?
Highly vine borer resistant. Solid moschata stems are hard for borer larvae to tunnel into. Resistant, not immune, so still scout in June and July.
When should I plant Long Island Cheese Pumpkin in Kansas?
Direct sow or transplant once soil holds 65 to 70 F, typically mid May to early June in Zone 6b. At 100 to 108 days to maturity, a late May planting ripens in September to October, right on time for curing before frost.
Is Long Island Cheese a good pie pumpkin?
It is one of the classic American pie pumpkins. The deep orange flesh is smooth, sweet, and low on strings, and one fruit typically makes several pies.
Will it ripen before frost? Long Island Cheese Pumpkin needs 100 to 110 days from sowing. In a typical Newton, Kansas Zone 6b season the first fall frost arrives between October 10 and 20, so direct sow by about June 13 to finish with a two week cushion. Planting later, or gardening in a different zone? Check your own planting window.
What growers are saying
Shipping & Satisfaction
We ship seeds and coffee via USPS from Newton, Kansas. Orders typically ship within 1 to 3 business days.
Seeds: Flat-rate shipping. Ships year-round.
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Growing Tips
Each seed packet includes detailed growing instructions. For additional help, visit our Growing Guides or reach out to us directly.
Seed life: 4 to 6 years stored cool, dry and dark. Germination is strongest in the first 2 to 3 years, so sow the freshest packet first and test older seed before you plan a bed around it.
Complete your patch
Most growers plant three or four varieties. Free shipping on orders over $25.00.
