Close up of Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash on a white background.
A couple of Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash on a black background.
A Baker Creek manager smile while holding cut open Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin on the beach.
Woman holding a freshly harvested Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash in the field.
A single Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash sits on white-washed wood background.
Close up of Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash on a white background.
A couple of Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash on a black background.
A Baker Creek manager smile while holding cut open Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin on the beach.
Woman holding a freshly harvested Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash in the field.
A single Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter Squash sits on white-washed wood background.

Winter Squash Seeds,
Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin

4.431 Reviews#SQ133 · 20 seeds
Price
Regular price $4.25
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $4.25
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Description

(Cucurbita maxima). The heirloom sea pumpkin of Chioggia, a fishing village on the coast of Italy, south of Venice. The large turban-shaped fruit is deep blue-green, and it is one of the most beautiful and unique of all squash, perfect for market gardeners. The rich, sweet flesh is a deep yellow-orange and of good quality, delicious baked or in pies. The fruit weighs about 10 lbs each and is produced on vigorous vines. Originally from South America, this warty winter squash made its way to Spain and found its popularity in Italy. This dark orange and sweet-fleshed fruit was introduced to Venice in the late 1600s and quickly became a beloved addition to the culinary culture. The network of lagoons south of Venice has been inhabited since the 5th century. Originally the people there fished and hunted small game, harvested sea salt, grew fruit, and eventually, vegetables. The region became a major source of vegetables for the Venetians once the salt marshes were drained and cultivated. Winter squash became a key staple for the winter months, especially for the poor who could not easily afford or access meat. The rich, dense Marina di Chioggia, storing for up to six months, filled this winter food gap, and its reputation for incredible flavor fueled its spread across Italy and the world. This beauty of a squash is still served on the canals of Venice, where bargemen grill it with olive oil and serve it in big wedges. A sweet and savory delight, for sure! Its meaty and sweet texture has also made this pumpkin popular as a filling for ravioli and for making gnocchi.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cucurbita maxima
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Sun Requirement
6–8 hr.
Days to Germinate
5–10
Days to Maturity
95
Planting Depth
½–1 in.
Plant Spacing
18–36 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–95°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Plant Marina di Chioggia pumpkin seeds outdoors after the last frost, when soil temperatures reach at least 60-70 F. In cooler regions, you can start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost and transplant them once the weather is reliably warm. These pumpkins typically take about 95 days to mature, so plan your planting schedule accordingly. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Sow seeds directly in small mounds or hills spaced about 4-6 feet apart to give the sprawling vines plenty of room. Plant the seeds 1/2-1 inch deep, with 2-3 seeds per mound. Once the seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them out, leaving only the strongest plant per mound.

How to Grow

Water consistently, aiming for about 1-2 inches per week, especially during dry periods. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. This variety benefits from good air circulation, which helps prevent common pumpkin diseases like powdery mildew. Regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer will support healthy growth and fruit production. Since these pumpkins require pollination to set fruit, ensure plenty of pollinators like bees are present, or consider hand-pollination if needed.

How to Save Seeds

  • There are four main species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination.
  • If you are planning to grow several varieties of more than one species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.
  • Whether it is a summer or winter squash, you must let the fruit completely mature before extracting the seeds, and cure for at least two weeks.
  • Scoop the seeds, place them in a bucket, and add just enough water to cover. Let sit at room temperature to ferment for two days before rinsing off the pulp.
  • Lay seeds out to dry on newspaper or paper plates.
  • Stored in a cool, dry place, seeds will remain viable for up to four years.

FAQ

What are common pests and diseases, and how can I manage them?

Common issues include powdery mildew and downy mildew. To manage these, ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and use organic fungicides if necessary. Regularly inspect the plants for pests like squash bugs and aphids and control them with organic methods like neem oil.

How do I know when Marina di Chioggia pumpkins are ready to harvest?

These pumpkins are ready to harvest when their rinds develop characteristic blisters and harden significantly. The stem will also start to dry out and turn brown. It's important to harvest them before the first frost to prevent damage.

How long can Marina di Chioggia pumpkins be stored after harvesting?

Marina di Chioggia pumpkins can be stored for several months if kept in a cool, dry place. After harvesting, allow the pumpkins to cure in a warm, dry area for about 10-14 days to harden their skins, which will extend their storage life. Properly cured pumpkins can last up to six months in storage.

Browse our full range of winter squash seeds.

Customer reviews

4.4 / 5 31 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Sweet, nutty flesh: Dry, deep orange flesh prized for pies, soup and roasting.

  • Big fruit, big vines: Pumpkins of 10 to 27 pounds on vines that need lots of room.

  • Stores for months: Cure a month to sweeten; keeps hard-shelled well into winter.

  • Tough, few pests: Few pest or disease problems for most growers.

  • Heads up: Some get just one to three fruits per vine; try clipping vine tips.

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