[ { "page": 1, "items": [ { "page": 1, "type": "TEXT", "location": { "l": 204, "t": 676.56, "r": 489.6, "b": 663.84 }, "text": "Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Connections", "reading_order": 0 }, { "page": 1, "type": "FIGURE", "location": { "l": 0, "t": 665.28, "r": 608.64, "b": 492 }, "text": "", "reading_order": 1 }, { "page": 1, "type": "TEXT", "location": { "l": 289.44, "t": 642, "r": 562.56, "b": 582.24 }, "text": "Sweet Sugar Pumpkin: Autumn's Healthy Delight", "reading_order": 2 }, { "page": 1, "type": "TEXT", "location": { "l": 252.96, "t": 563.28, "r": 597.36, "b": 516.72 }, "text": "Kwabena M. Sarpong, Undergraduate Research Assistant\nRichard Kabanda, Graduate Research Assistant\nCora Teets, M.S., Research & Extension Associate for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems\nTheoneste Nzaramyimana, Ph.D., Assistant Professor for Urban Agriculture", "reading_order": 3 }, { "page": 1, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 23.28, "t": 469.44, "r": 197.52, "b": 454.56 }, "text": "Introduction and Background", "reading_order": 4, "level": 2 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 29.52, "t": 445.92, "r": 281.76, "b": 400.32 }, "text": "Sweet sugar pumpkins, also known as pie pumpkins, are small, round varieties cultivated specifically for cooking and baking.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L1", "level": 0, "reading_order": 5 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.48, "t": 397.2, "r": 270.24, "b": 351.12 }, "text": "They are nutrient-dense, offering a rich source of beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants (Batool et al., 2022).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L1", "level": 0, "reading_order": 6 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.48, "t": 347.76, "r": 279.36, "b": 302.16 }, "text": "Due to their smooth texture and natural sweetness, they are commonly used in pies, soups, and purees (USDA SNAP-Ed, 2025).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L1", "level": 0, "reading_order": 7 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 29.52, "t": 298.56, "r": 281.52, "b": 252 }, "text": "Increased interest in seasonal and local produce has led to a resurgence in sweet sugar pumpkin farming, particularly in fall markets.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L1", "level": 0, "reading_order": 8 }, { "page": 1, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 26.88, "t": 228.24, "r": 247.68, "b": 213.6 }, "text": "Health Benefits and Nutritional Value", "reading_order": 9, "level": 2 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 29.52, "t": 207.12, "r": 272.64, "b": 177.84 }, "text": "Beta-Carotene: Converts to vitamin A, supporting eye health and immune function.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L2", "level": 0, "reading_order": 10 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.24, "t": 174.48, "r": 243.36, "b": 148.56 }, "text": "Dietary Fiber: Aids digestion and promotes satiety.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L2", "level": 0, "reading_order": 11 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.24, "t": 144.96, "r": 263.04, "b": 99.36 }, "text": "Healthy Fat: Seeds have a high content of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (Batool et al., 2022).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L2", "level": 0, "reading_order": 12 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.24, "t": 96, "r": 257.28, "b": 66.48 }, "text": "Potassium: Helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance (Mayo Clinic, 2024).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L2", "level": 0, "reading_order": 13 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 29.76, "t": 61.68, "r": 240.24, "b": 31.92 }, "text": "Vitamin C: Boosts immunity and acts as an antioxidant (USDA SNAP-Ed, 2025).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L2", "level": 0, "reading_order": 14 }, { "page": 1, "type": "FIGURE", "location": { "l": 302.88, "t": 469.44, "r": 579.6, "b": 302.64 }, "text": "", "reading_order": 15 }, { "page": 1, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 332.64, "t": 286.8, "r": 411.12, "b": 271.2 }, "text": "Cooking Tips", "reading_order": 16, "level": 2 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 331.44, "t": 266.16, "r": 582, "b": 240.72 }, "text": "Make a perfect pumpkin pie with a smooth texture and natural sweetness.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L3", "level": 0, "reading_order": 17 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 330.96, "t": 236.16, "r": 530.64, "b": 223.44 }, "text": "Blend roasted pumpkin into smoothies.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L3", "level": 0, "reading_order": 18 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 330.96, "t": 219.6, "r": 551.76, "b": 206.64 }, "text": "Bake homemade pumpkin bread or muffins.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L3", "level": 0, "reading_order": 19 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 330.96, "t": 203.04, "r": 582.24, "b": 190.32 }, "text": "Use pumpkin puree as a base for soups and sauces.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L3", "level": 0, "reading_order": 20 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 330.96, "t": 185.76, "r": 581.76, "b": 156.24 }, "text": "Replace butter with pumpkin puree in recipes for a healthy twist.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L3", "level": 0, "reading_order": 21 }, { "page": 1, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 332.64, "t": 142.56, "r": 471.6, "b": 128.4 }, "text": "Cultivation in Kentucky", "reading_order": 22, "level": 2 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 330.72, "t": 121.2, "r": 580.08, "b": 108.48 }, "text": "Grows well in Kentucky's warm, temperate climate.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L4", "level": 0, "reading_order": 23 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 331.2, "t": 105.12, "r": 570.72, "b": 42.72 }, "text": "Direct-seed outdoors from late May to early June after last frost (UK, 2021). Seeds need a soil temperature above 70circF to germinate (Wilson & Barickman, 2025).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L4", "level": 0, "reading_order": 24 }, { "page": 1, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 330.72, "t": 35.76, "r": 581.28, "b": 5.04 }, "text": "Matures in 90–100 days (depending on variety);\nharvest occurs in September or October (UK, 2021).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L4", "level": 0, "reading_order": 25 } ] }, { "page": 2, "items": [ { "page": 2, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 28.56, "t": 765.6, "r": 201.12, "b": 751.2 }, "text": "Current Trends in Production", "reading_order": 0, "level": 2 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 28.32, "t": 737.76, "r": 284.64, "b": 709.44 }, "text": "Heirloom Varieties: Gaining popularity for flavor and appearance.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L5", "level": 0, "reading_order": 1 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 28.8, "t": 706.32, "r": 277.44, "b": 678.24 }, "text": "Organic Farming: Reduced pesticide use appeals to health-conscious consumers.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L5", "level": 0, "reading_order": 2 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 29.04, "t": 674.88, "r": 291.84, "b": 630.72 }, "text": "Seasonal Farmers Markets: A growing venue for local pumpkin sales for fresh consumption and value-added products (e.g. baked goods) (USDA-NIFA, 2001).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L5", "level": 0, "reading_order": 3 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 28.56, "t": 627.6, "r": 297.6, "b": 597.36 }, "text": "Edible Landscaping: Home gardeners and small farmers increasingly integrate sugar pumpkins.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L5", "level": 0, "reading_order": 4 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 29.76, "t": 581.28, "r": 256.32, "b": 566.64 }, "text": "Fun Facts About Sweet Sugar Pumpkin", "reading_order": 5, "level": 2 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.24, "t": 554.16, "r": 305.28, "b": 510.48 }, "text": "Fruit by Nature: A sweet sugar pumpkin is considered a fruit. Pumpkins grow from a flower on a vine and contain seeds, which makes them fruits (Texas A&M, 2023).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L6", "level": 0, "reading_order": 6 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.72, "t": 507.36, "r": 292.08, "b": 479.04 }, "text": "Edible Skin: When roasted, the skin becomes soft and edible—no peeling required!", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L6", "level": 0, "reading_order": 7 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.72, "t": 475.68, "r": 297.84, "b": 432.24 }, "text": "Compact & Convenient: Unlike large carving pumpkins, sweet sugar pumpkins are easy to handle and store in small spaces.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L6", "level": 0, "reading_order": 8 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.48, "t": 428.88, "r": 307.92, "b": 384.72 }, "text": "Rich in Antioxidants: Their deep orange color comes from beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that supports eye and skin health (Batool et al., 2022).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L6", "level": 0, "reading_order": 9 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.96, "t": 381.84, "r": 289.44, "b": 337.2 }, "text": "Pollinator-Friendly: Their large yellow flowers attract bees and help support pollinators. It is essential to protect pollinators by limiting pesticide application.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L6", "level": 0, "reading_order": 10 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 30.72, "t": 334.32, "r": 301.92, "b": 288.48 }, "text": "Long Shelf Life: When stored in a cool (50-55°F), dry place (humidity 50-75%), whole sugar pumpkins can last 2–3 months after harvest (Wilson & Barickman, 2025).", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L6", "level": 0, "reading_order": 11 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 28.32, "t": 277.2, "r": 136.56, "b": 262.56 }, "text": "Acknowledgments", "reading_order": 12, "level": 2 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TEXT", "location": { "l": 27.6, "t": 248.16, "r": 300.24, "b": 195.36 }, "text": "We thank Ms. Nicole Daniels, Mr. Jody Thompson, and Ms. Kara Back-Campbell for their time and review of this publication. We acknowledge the USDA Evans-Allen Project #7004987 for support of this research.", "reading_order": 13 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 258, "t": 188.4, "r": 306.72, "b": 175.92 }, "text": "Sources", "reading_order": 14, "level": 2 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TITLE", "location": { "l": 343.68, "t": 762.24, "r": 558.48, "b": 747.6 }, "text": "Growing Tips, Care, & Maintenance", "reading_order": 15, "level": 2 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 341.04, "t": 737.52, "r": 586.08, "b": 693.6 }, "text": "Crops require full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Incorporate organic matter into the soil and build high rows to help with drainage.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 16 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 340.8, "t": 690.96, "r": 594.24, "b": 648.24 }, "text": "Black plastic mulch is beneficial for weed control, and it conserves moisture, accelerates plant growth, and reduces fruit rots.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 17 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 341.28, "t": 644.88, "r": 589.2, "b": 601.44 }, "text": "Seeds need to be planted 1–1.5 inches deep. Space hills 2–5 feet apart within the row with 4–8 feet between the rows, depending on variety.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 18 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 341.28, "t": 598.56, "r": 597.12, "b": 540.48 }, "text": "In general, apply 4–6 pounds of a complete fertilizer per 100 feet of row 2 weeks before planting. Be careful not to over-fertilize and keep fertilizer off the leaves.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 19 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 343.68, "t": 536.16, "r": 603.12, "b": 493.2 }, "text": "Sufficient watering is important. Drip irrigation uses less water, reduces disease, and applies water only at the roots.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 20 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 343.68, "t": 490.08, "r": 605.52, "b": 447.12 }, "text": "Pumpkins are harvested when fully mature, when skin is darkened and developed to the proper color for that variety.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 21 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 343.68, "t": 443.76, "r": 604.08, "b": 384.96 }, "text": "Squash vine borers, squash bugs, and spider mites are the most common insects that affect pumpkins. The best pest control is a regular, scheduled spray program when necessary.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 22 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 343.68, "t": 381.36, "r": 593.76, "b": 352.8 }, "text": "Grow pumpkin varieties that have disease and virus resistance to prevent these conditions.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L7", "level": 0, "reading_order": 23 }, { "page": 2, "type": "FIGURE", "location": { "l": 345.12, "t": 342.48, "r": 588.48, "b": 198.24 }, "text": "", "reading_order": 24 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TEXT", "location": { "l": 371.28, "t": 193.2, "r": 550.32, "b": 181.44 }, "text": "A slice of fall: sweet sugar pumpkin pie.", "reading_order": 25 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 18.24, "t": 170.4, "r": 577.92, "b": 151.2 }, "text": "Batool M. et al. Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.). Plants (Basel). (May, 2022). 11(11):1394. doi: 10.3390/plants11111394. PMID: 35684166; PMCID: PMC9182978.", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 26 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 21.6, "t": 147.36, "r": 603.36, "b": 137.52 }, "text": "Texas A&M University Stories. (2023, October 12). Are Pumpkins a fruits or vegetable? Retrieved April 6th, 2026, from https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2023/10/12/are-pumpkins-a-fruit-or-a-vegetable/", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 27 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 21.36, "t": 135.12, "r": 602.16, "b": 116.16 }, "text": "Mayo Clinic - Health Systems. (Nov. 2024). From inflammation to heart health: The perks of pumpkin in your diet. Retrieved April 6th, 2026, from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometownhealth/speaking-of-health/the-perks-of-pumpkin-in-your-diet", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 28 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 22.32, "t": 112.56, "r": 580.08, "b": 103.2 }, "text": "University of Kentucky (UK) Cooperative Extension Service. (2021). Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky (ID-128). Retrieved April 6th, 2026, from https://publications.mgcafe.ukv.edu/id-128", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 29 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 21.36, "t": 100.08, "r": 517.44, "b": 90.24 }, "text": "USDA-NIFA. (Sept. 2001). Crop Profile for Pumpkins in Kentucky. Retrieved April 6th, 2026, from https://ipdata.ipmcenters.org/documents/cropprofiles/KYpumpkin.pdf", "marker": "•", "links": [ { "uri": "https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/id-128", "dest": null, "action_type": "/URI", "bbox": [ 23.461, 78.915, 516.223, 98.31 ] } ], "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 30 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 21.6, "t": 87.84, "r": 553.68, "b": 78.48 }, "text": "USDA SNAP-Ed Connection. (Accessed 2025). Pumpkin. Retrieved April 6th, 2026, from https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/resources/nutrition-education-materials/seasonal-produce-guide/", "marker": "•", "links": [ { "uri": "https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/id-128", "dest": null, "action_type": "/URI", "bbox": [ 23.461, 78.915, 516.223, 98.31 ] } ], "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 31 }, { "page": 2, "type": "LIST_ITEM", "location": { "l": 21.36, "t": 73.92, "r": 590.64, "b": 55.2 }, "text": "Wilson, Jeff PhD & Barickman, Casey PhD. Mississippi State University Extension. (Accessed 2025). Growing Pumpkins for the Home Garden P2905. Retrieved April 6th, 2026, from https:// pumpkin extension.msstate.edu/publications/growing-pumpkins-for-the-home-garden", "marker": "•", "list_id": "L8", "level": 0, "reading_order": 32 }, { "page": 2, "type": "TEXT", "location": { "l": 25.68, "t": 60.72, "r": 253.92, "b": 52.32 }, "text": "extension.msstate.edu/publications/growing-pumpkins-for-the-home-garden", "reading_order": 33 } ] } ]