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When is the best time to grow pumpkins


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Knowing when to plant pumpkins is important as they have a long growing season. You need to prepare well ahead for the fall arrival of plump, orange pumpkins, ready to carve for Jack O’Lanterns, or varieties to roast for pies, add to stews and soups and many other culinary uses. 

Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family, Cucurbitacae, and are actually considered a berry. Cucurbita pepo is the type of pumpkin used to make the jack-o-lanterns seen on Halloween, but there are many different sizes, shapes, colors and flavors.

Once you know how to grow pumpkins you can try many different varieties that you won't generally be able to find at the grocery store.

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When to plant pumpkins 

Because they have a long growing season, it is important to plant pumpkins as early as possible as part of your vegetable garden ideas.

'It is best to wait about 2-3 weeks after the last average frost date in your area, or until soil has reliably warmed to 70 °F,' says Shannie McCabe, horticulturist for Baker Creek Seeds based in Mansfield, Missouri.

Since there are a range of frost dates depending on where you live 'it is best to get online and research the average last frost date for your region,' Shannie adds. 

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What is the best month to plant pumpkins?

The best month for planting pumpkins depends on whether you live in a warmer or colder region, and the hardiness zone for that area. 

Check the seed packet for the suggested planting time for your zone. You can also  look for frost dates in your region in the US by zip code on the Old Farmer’s Almanac .

For many regions the best time to plant pumpkins will be between April and June, but it will also depend on the variety and the time it takes for them to mature ready for harvest and there are various ways to know when to pick a pumpkin off the vine.

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When to plant pumpkin seeds outside?

'Pumpkin seeds are ideal for planting directly outside once the danger of frost has passed,' says Matthew Stevens, Agriculture Extension Agent at NC State University Extension-Nash County Center in North Carolina. 

'Pumpkin seeds are large enough and germinate quickly enough that they can be direct seeded into the soil with great success,' Matthew says. 

'Growing pie pumpkins and carving pumpkins is very similar, as each likes the same types of soil and environmental conditions,' he adds. The timing for when to plant pumpkins of both varieties is essentially the same.

When is it too late to plant pumpkins?

When it is too late to plant pumpkins depends on the growing time for that variety, and also where you live. 

'You can most certainly make later succession plantings as long as you do the math comparing the average days to maturity of the variety – listed on the back of the seed packet – and how many frost free days you have left until the average first frost date in your region,' explains Shannie McCabe.

'Add on two additional weeks of buffer to account for the slower growing habit after the summer solstice,' she advises. 'At Baker Creek, we like to plant pumpkins in mid June to avoid the peak of squash bug season, which happens in late May to early June in the Missouri Ozarks.'

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When to plant pumpkins indoors

If you want to give the pumpkin plants a bit of a head start, you could seed them indoors when planning greenhouse crops, 'but they will be ready to be transplanted after just a few weeks,' explains Matthew.

Chris Rusch, member of the Douglas County Master Gardeners program at Oregon State University, advises to start your plants in early April in a greenhouse or cold frame for transplanting out in May. 'Keep only the strongest plants,' he adds.

If you plant pumpkin seeds indoors, it is important to transplant them outside 'before they are three weeks old, as they will become stunted from being even the slightest bit pot bound,' says Shannie McCabe.

How long does it take pumpkins to grow?

It takes pumpkins approximately 75 to 100 days without frost to grow, which is why it is so important to know when to plant pumpkins, so that you get them started early enough to guarantee a fall harvest.

Check the seed packet for that pumpkin variety’s growing time in days. Then count backwards from the time you would like to have pumpkins available. Plant your pumpkin crop before or near that planting date, but after the last frost.

If your pumpkin has a growing season of 100 days, for instance, you will have to plant seeds in mid-July, at the latest, to have pumpkins ready for Halloween.

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Do pumpkins like sun or shade?

'Pumpkins love fertile soil and full sun,' advises Chris Rusch. 

'Before planting, spade the soil about a foot deep, and mix in some homemade compost, manure and well-balanced fertilizer,' he adds.

How much space do pumpkins need?

Pumpkins need lots of space to trail their thick vines. Rows should be at least six feet apart. If you're planning a kitchen garden, planting pumpkins at the outer edge of the garden allows you to train the vines away from other plants. 

Pumpkins can be even be grown in a city garden, provided they have enough space and adequate soil. 

'Pumpkins are vines that spread into rather large plants, meaning you need a good deal of space to grow even one pumpkin plant. Gardeners should plan to provide a bare minimum of six square feet of growing space per plant. Many typical pumpkin varieties can grow vines as much as 10 to 30 feet long, although there are some that are more compact,' explains Matthew Stevens.

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Will pumpkin seeds overwinter in the garden and come up in the spring?

'Anyone with a compost pile knows that pumpkin seeds will survive the winter and regrow in the summer – it is all too common to find a random pumpkin growing out of your compost pile in the spring,' explains Shannie McCabe.

However, pumpkin seeds are quite cold sensitive so it is not guaranteed that they will overwinter. 'Most likely pumpkin seeds survive in a compost pile because of the heat that is generated from the pile. A pumpkin seed sown into a regular garden bed does not have a great chance of surviving a hard winter,' she adds.

'Also consider that a fall sown pumpkin seed may germinate with the first warm days of spring, only to be killed with a late frost.'

How long do pumpkins need to grow? 

Pumpkins needs quite a long time to grow. While some kitchen garden ideas (including radishes and salad leaves) can grow in as little as 25 days, pumpkins need notably longer to mature and can take between 80 and 120 days.

When to plant pumpkins for fall

Thoughts of when to plant pumpkins for fall may seem premature following midsummer – but this process is surprisingly more timely than it initially seems. Despite being synonymous with fall, pumpkins are sensitive to the cold, so it is essential to plant your pumpkins no later than early summer –  for a healthy harvest for Halloween.  

'Late spring to early summer is the best time to plant most pumpkins from seed, but it will depend on two things: the last frost of the season and the variety of pumpkin,' says garden expert and chef Sylvia Fountaine, the CEO and founder of Feasting at Home .  

Is September too late to plant pumpkins?

Yes, sadly, it is too late to plant pumpkins in September. This is because the soil temperature is likely to fall under the ideal growing conditions, and they will not have matured before the end of the fall. 

‘Pumpkin seed usually germinates in warm weather conditions, so you must sow them when the soil temperature is above 65°F(18°C),’ adds Richa Kedia, CEO of Nursery Lady . ‘So, the pumpkin seed needs to be planted before Mid July if you want to harvest that in the fall.’

Can you winter sow pumpkins? 

No, it is not possible to sow winter pumpkins. As the experts suggest, at the latest, you should only plant between mid-May and mid-July. However, if you’re looking for some winter-friendly garden ideas, there are other options to consider. These include grapefruit, Mandarin oranges, and kiwi fruit.  

R.W.Williams is a freelance writer who lives in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Her work has been seen in print and online publications for decades, and she continues to learn and grow every day in the industry. Over the years, she has written about lifestyle, gardening, pets, agriculture, sustainability, retirement, budgeting, celebrities, and more. 

When to Plant Pumpkins For Halloween

The fall season is jam-packed with things to look forward to, from the respite of cooler weather to the resurgence of various spiced Starbucks drinks. Food-wise, if you're interested in gardening, harvesting plants in time for a Halloween celebration or Thanksgiving dinner is another memorable experience you and your family can look forward to.

Having your own little pumpkin garden can be particularly satisfying, especially if you are pumpkin obsessed or just love anything to do with fall time. Plus, this seasonal gourd is just so iconic, it's tempting to take a stab at growing your own! Whether you have children or not, save yourself some drive time and feel free to forgo the annual trip to the pumpkin patch this fall season. Instead, try planting your very own personal supply of pumpkins for eating, carving, and decorating. You're sure to find that growing the food you eat is not only a more rewarding experience but a really fun opportunity, too.

Not sure when is the right time to be planting pumpkins? Before you head out in a mad dash for some last-minute supplies and seeds to plant pumpkins just weeks before Halloween, read ahead for our rundown on all the need-to-know tips for cultivating and planting pumpkins.

— Additional reporting by Melissa Santoyo

When to Plant Pumpkins

When you should plant your pumpkins largely depends on what you plan on using them for. If you want to use your pumpkins for carving and pies, you should plant them in late spring or early summer, after the last frost. If your goal is to grow the biggest pumpkin possible, you should plant your seeds indoors two weeks before the last frost.

Planting Pumpkins: Consider Your Climate

Pumpkins generally need to be planted outside after the last chance of frost has passed. However, pumpkins grow more quickly in warm weather, so if you live in a warmer climate, you can plant pumpkin seeds as late as mid-July. If you live in a cooler climate, the earlier you plant the seeds, the better (i.e., from late May).

Planting Pumpkins: Plant From Seeds When Possible

Although it's possible to transplant your pumpkin seedlings after starting them indoors, the best way to ensure healthy pumpkin plants is to plant them directly into the ground. Pumpkin seedlings can be a bit picky, but if you really have to start them indoors, you can harden them off before planting them in the ground, which should help them adjust better to the change when it comes to planting them.

Planting Pumpkins: Pay Attention to Soil Temperature

Pumpkins are sensitive to the cold and grow faster in warmer conditions, so it's worth your while to make sure they're planted in the warmest soil possible. If you can, wait until the soil is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and plant the seeds in mounds of soil. Having the soil raised will help the soil get warmer as well as help with drainage and pests.

Planting Pumpkins: Keep Your Pumpkins Well-Fed

Pumpkins need rich soil, full sun, and lots of space to grow. Make sure that in addition to a good-quality soil, you add a mixture of compost and manure to the ground before planting. Feed them regularly by topping up the compost. Pumpkins also do well with regular fertilizing, especially when the plants are about a foot tall and just before they bloom.

Planting Pumpkins: Focus Your Plants

Like with other vine plants, pumpkin plants will continue to put out vines and get longer and longer if you don't cut them back. Cutting them back won't just help keep your plant contained, but it will also help your pumpkin plant focus on producing fruits. Instead of wasting energy growing the vines, it will concentrate its energy on the vines it has left and the pumpkins themselves. You can encourage this even further by removing all but a couple of pumpkin fruits if your goal is size.

Image Source: Unsplash / Debby Hudson

planting dates and cultivation rules

People have long been deeply reverent for the pumpkin. A huge number of dishes are "tied" to this tropical berry due to its biological value (it is an excellent dietary product) and undeniable culinary qualities (tasty to cook, make juice, eat seeds). Therefore, in order for your table to be distinguished by the maximum variety of dishes, grow a pumpkin in your country house!

How to properly plant a pumpkin in open ground and grow (care - water, feed, shape), read on.

Content

When to plant pumpkin outdoors

You can plant pumpkin seeds outdoors when the ground is warm enough (at least up to +8, and even better up to +12 degrees), and the weather will be stable warm (above +10..+12 degrees).

By the way! Of all cucurbits (zucchini, cucumbers, melons, arzubs), pumpkin is the most cold-resistant. Therefore, even if short-term return frosts occur, the pumpkin will be able to survive, if, of course, it has time to build up the root system.

Depending on the region and climate

Naturally, pumpkin planting dates differ depending on climatic conditions.

So, in the southern regions, you can start sowing pumpkin seeds in the ground as early as April, in the Middle lane (Moscow region) - in the 2nd-3rd decade of May, and in the Urals and Siberia - in the second half-end of May (3rd decade).

According to the lunar calendar in 2022

Many summer residents resort to the lunar sowing calendar to select a specific day for sowing, planting seeds in accordance with certain phases of the moon. Try it too!

So, in 2022 favorable days for sowing pumpkins in open ground, according to the lunar calendar, are:

Unfavorable dates (days of the Full Moon and New Moon , as well as the period when the Moon is in Aquarius, because it is a barren and dry sign - is italicized ), when it is definitely not worth planting a pumpkin in open ground, in 2022 are:

Choosing the type and good variety of pumpkin

Of course, the most delicious are Muscat varieties , but they are the most thermophilic and late-ripening. Also, hard-core have excellent taste qualities, they have the earliest ripening period. In general, large-fruited varieties are no less sweet and cold-resistant.

Tip! The site contains detailed review material on the best varieties of pumpkin (nutmeg, large-fruited and hard-barked) .

Tip! Do not choose the largest (giant) varieties.

This is due to the fact that it is difficult to use the whole fruit at once, and after you cut it, there will be a problem with its storage . In addition, small pumpkin varieties store better and tend to have a sweeter taste.

Preparing pumpkin seeds for planting in the ground

"Don't expect a good seed from a bad seed. "

Before planting, pumpkin seeds should be carefully selected (calibrated), throwing out all damaged and bent specimens, leaving only the largest and plump .

Next, the seeds should be checked for their suitability for sowing, namely poured into a container with water for 3-4 hours. Seeds that sink can be planted, but those that remain floating on the surface should be thrown away (they are light and empty).

Then directly prepare and process pumpkin seeds. This can be done in different ways:

Better yet, in one of the growth promoters like Epin or Zircon. You can also grow in them.

Tip! In addition to soaking, it is also possible to carry out the hardening procedure. To do this, you need to wrap the seeds in damp cheesecloth and refrigerate for 10-12 hours. Then take out and put in heat for 10-12 hours. So repeat for 3-4 times (3-4 days), in other words, subject the seeds to temperature changes (stress), and then germinate.

Another way to germinate pumpkin seeds is to germinate them in sawdust . To do this, you need to pour sawdust into a jar, pour boiling water over them and cover with a lid. Then wait a little (so that the temperature drops to room temperature) and add the seeds to the jar of sawdust. Next, place this jar in a plastic bag and put it in a warm, dark place until germination.

To awaken old pumpkin seeds , you need to apply the temperature swing method. To do this, tie the seeds in gauze and alternately lower them into hot water (40-50 degrees), then into cold water (directly from the tap, although it is better to use melted water if you still have snow outside the window). So you need to do 4-5 times, keeping in water for 5-6 seconds. After the procedure, dry and immediately sow on seedlings or in open ground.

Many summer residents successfully plant pumpkin and with dry seeds , but in this case, the planting time should be shifted by 5-7 days, in other words, it should be planted earlier.

Important! If you purchased pelleted (treated) seeds , then they do not need any pre-sowing preparation, they can be sown immediately dry.

However, you can sprout them if you wish.

Planting a pumpkin in open ground: where and how to plant it correctly

We decided on the timing, we bought the seeds, it remains to choose a suitable place for the garden (as well as the method of cultivation), prepare it correctly (fertilize) and plant seeds or seedlings directly (if previously grown at home).

Planting site

When it comes to choosing a location for successfully growing pumpkins, it is believed that this vegetable, especially its tops, can grow anywhere. But should not be planted in the shade of , because in such conditions the fruits will be smaller in size and the taste will be worse.

However, many gardeners claim that it also grows well in shady places, for example, in the corner behind the house on a compost heap.

And yet, if you plant the same variety in the sun, the result is simply incredible, of course, if you take care of it accordingly.

After that it is better to plant

It is good to plant a pumpkin in a place where legumes, various kinds of root crops, cabbage, potatoes, onions and garlic used to grow.

Do not plant after relatives of cucurbits such as watermelons, melons, cucumbers and squash. They have the same illnesses.

Another thing is if you sit after them (pumpkin) green manure .

Garden preparation

Pumpkin loves fertile soil 0056 . Acidity should be neutral 6-7 pH.

It is quite difficult to grow a decent crop on clay soil. The main problem with clay soil is that the pumpkin does not like damp and wet soil. In addition, the clay does not warm up well, and gourds love it when their roots (legs) are warm .

Even on sandy soil, it grows much better for the simple reason that in this case you can give more frequent feeding, and the plant will be able to receive the nutrition required for normal development.

It is very easy to prepare a bed for growing pumpkins: you need to dig it well and deep, add more humus (8-9 kg per 1 sq.m. of the bed) and wood ash (100-200 grams per 1 sq.m. beds). Also, if desired, you can add 30-40 grams of complex mineral fertilizer nitroammophoska per 1 sq.m of the garden, and then dig again to mix everything.

If your soil is clayey or even loamy, it is advisable to also add sand and high-moor peat for digging.

Planting and growing methods: how to arrange pumpkin melons

It is recommended to plant pumpkin on raised (high) beds or even on mounds .

We remind you! Pumpkin loves to keep her feet warm.

Therefore, melons can be made directly on last year's rotted grass, similar to those on which other pumpkin plants, for example, zucchini, can be grown .

You can also grow pumpkins on trellis , but in this case you need to plant much closer to each other.

The advantage of this method is that the fruits receive more sunlight and heat, which means they will grow faster and become sweeter. Just remember to tie them up so they don't break.

Another interesting option is growing pumpkins in a barrel.

The method is completely similar to the method used at growing cucumbers in barrels.

You can grow pumpkin under cover material and then you don't even need to water and weed the pumpkin plantings often.

Direct planting of seeds in the ground

Step-by-step instructions for planting pumpkin seeds in the open ground:

  • Choose a place.
  • Prepare the bed, apply all the necessary fertilizers for digging.

By the way! To warm up the ground, you can send a plastic sheet over it in advance.

  • Make planting holes with a handful of humus and high-moor peat.
  • Pour plenty of warm water.
  • Sow the seeds at a depth of 3-5 centimeters and at a certain distance (depending on the growing pattern of a certain variety, which is usually indicated on the seed package; on average, pumpkins are planted at a distance of 80-120 cm from each other).

If planting with dry seeds, it is better to sow 2-4 seeds at once in one hole in order to subsequently remove the weaker ones.

By the way! There is an opinion that it is better to sow pumpkin seeds (as well as other pumpkin or gourds) horizontally (i.e., “nose” down, if the seed has already sprouted, then “seedling” down), and not vertically.

  • Cover with earth.
  • Sprinkle lightly with warm water.
  • Lightly mulch for insulation, e.g. with humus.
  • Close the bed with covering material (spunbond), and even better with a film.

All this is done because all cucurbits need to develop a good root system at first, and for this they need to provide enough heat during the germination period.

Especially it is necessary if the weather is not stable.

Video: planting pumpkins in spring outdoors

Planting seedlings

By the way! The site also has an article on how to plant pumpkin seeds and grow seedlings at home .

Pumpkin seedlings are planted on a pre-prepared bed. The very transplantation from the cups into the ground should be done carefully, slowly taking out the seedlings along with the lump, in no case damaging the root system of the plant. It is better to make the hole large enough. At the bottom, you need to pour a mixture of humus and ash, spill it with warm water, put a seedling, and then cover it with garden soil. As soon as the landing is carried out, plantings can be mulched with humus (compost).

Video: planting pumpkin seedlings in open ground

, weeding from weeds, pinching lashes for better fruit set and ripening, as well as top dressing as needed.

Tip! Guide the gourds as they grow so they don't shade each other and other plants.

Watering

Water the pumpkin very generously, but not often.

Generally, pumpkins are watered about once a week, depending on the climate.

Watering is especially necessary during the period of fruit growth, namely when the fruit becomes fist-sized (ie after pollination).

Please note! Pumpkins need to be watered not only under the root, but also around (i.e., the entire garden), because it’s not just that we plant seeds at such a distance.

All watering should be stopped at the moment when the pumpkin is completely ripe (stops growing in size).

This is necessary for the pumpkin to lie down quietly, and its pulp to pick up sugar.

Top dressing

Top dressing with nitrogen fertilizers should be performed only at the first stages of active growth and development of seedlings, otherwise it will begin to fatten, increase green mass to the detriment of flowering and the formation of ovaries.

For example, organic fertilizers such as chicken manure or mullein, as well as herbal infusion, are excellent for this. Or mineral fertilizers - ammonium nitrate and urea (urea) .

Almost forgot! Phosphorus is also required by melons, albeit not in the same quantity as potassium. Therefore, it is still necessary to give phosphorus top dressing once during the beginning of the growing season. However, if you have prepared the bed correctly in advance and have already added superphosphate , then you can do without.

Worth knowing! The presence of phosphorus has a direct and positive effect on the availability of nitrogen!

In order for the pumpkin to grow tasty and sweet, it needs potassium supplements. If you are an adherent of organics, then your choice is wood ash (1-2 cups of ash in a bucket of water, pour right under the root or let it brew for a day). Or you can purchase a ready-made potash mineral fertilizer, such as potassium sulfate (potassium sulphate).

By the way! It is very good to pamper the pumpkin with such top dressing as potassium humate , which contains many necessary trace elements . However, potassium humate is not quite a potash fertilizer.

Pollination

If the fruits do not set, then most likely they simply did not pollinate, in other words, the bees did not fly to your melon or the weather is too cloudy.

Tip! In order not to have to worry about the artificial pollination of the pumpkin, next to it you can plant plants and flowers that bees love.

So you will have to artificially pollinate the pumpkin. This is pretty easy to do. First you need to choose a dry and warm day (cloudy is also suitable, the main thing is that it does not rain). Next, cut off the male flowers, peel off the petals and press the stamens to the pistil of the female flower (they have a small green fruit at the base ).

Determining that the pumpkin has pollinated is even easier: the flower will begin to dry out, and the fruit will increase in size.

Video: how to pollinate pumpkins by hand

Question! What if there are no female flowers at all, but only male ones? Why is this happening?

Barren flowers (male flowers) appear in a pumpkin if the plant is in unfavorable conditions or lacks something. Often this leads to too plentiful and frequent watering.

In this case, watering should be stopped and the plants should be given a short-term drought.

Alternatively, pinch off the main stem to create side shoots that should have more female flowers.

Shaping ( pinching)

Tip! The site already has a separate detailed article about how to form a pumpkin in the open ground .

Fruit mat

To prevent the bottom of the gourd from rotting, place a piece of wood under the pumpkin at an early stage of fruit development, or place it on a crate.

If you are growing on a trellis, hanging fruit can be placed in nets and tied to supports.

When to harvest pumpkins and how to store them

Harvest pumpkins before frost. As a rule, this is done at the beginning of autumn, i. during September. You can determine that the time has come for harvesting by 2 parameters: by timing and by the appearance of the fruit.

Please note! The site already has an article about when you can determine that it's time to harvest the pumpkin .

Important! And about ways of long-term storage of pumpkin you can learn from this detailed article .

If you have an irresistible desire to grow a pumpkin in the open field in your country house, take into account our good advice and recommendations so that not a single mistake in planting and caring will nullify your time and efforts.

Video: how to grow a pumpkin

favorable days according to the lunar calendar

Favorable days for planting seedlings at home or in a greenhouse

(one). But if the summer is short, and even cool, they may not have enough heat - the seedling method is better there.

Pumpkin seedlings can be planted at 20 days old, so it is easy to calculate when to sow the seeds.

Pumpkin loves warmth, does not tolerate frost, so it is more reliable to plant seedlings in the middle lane after June 5th. So, you need to sow around May 15th.

If you are ready to cover young plants for the first time, then pumpkins can be planted in the garden after May 10th. And seeds for seedlings should be sown on April 20.

Auspicious days for planting seedlings at home or in a greenhouse: April 21-22.

Favorable days for planting seedlings in open ground

If you decide to plant a pumpkin in the beds early, after May 10, it will need to be covered with a non-woven fabric. If there is no desire to mess with shelter, then the landing date should be postponed to the beginning of June, when the threat of sub-zero temperatures has passed. In the middle lane, this is about the 5th number.

The area where the pumpkin will grow should be as lighted as possible from morning to evening - it is very photophilous. And the soil must be fertile. If the soil is poor, clay or peat, pour half a bucket of humus into the hole during planting - it will be enough for the pumpkin for the whole summer. In addition, organic matter will make the soil loose, just like a pumpkin loves.

The best predecessors are potatoes, legumes (peas, beans), root crops and onions. And after related plants (zucchini and squash, watermelons and melons, cucumbers), pumpkin cannot be planted - they have common diseases.

It is useful to harden off seedlings a week before transplanting. This is easy to do - you need to take it out to fresh air. For example, on the balcony. The first couple of days - for 2 - 3 hours. Then you can send "walking" for the whole day. The main thing is that she does not stand in the scorching sun - there should be a light shadow.

Photo: globallookpress.com

Seedlings should be planted in the beds carefully so that the clod of earth does not collapse - if the roots are exposed, the plants will be sick for a long time, and may even die. After planting, the pumpkin must be watered - about 0.5 liters of water per hole.

If the weather is hot outside, the first few days the planted seedlings should be shaded from the sun at noon, when it is the hottest.

Favorable days for planting seedlings in open ground: 1-15, 31 May, 1-12 June.

How to determine the planting dates in your region

It is important that the pumpkin is not killed by frost, so you need to focus on the weather.

In the south, seedlings can be sent to the garden at the end of May. In the middle lane - in early June, and with shelter - after the May holidays. And in the greenhouse it can be planted in early May.

Tips for caring for pumpkin seedlings

Pumpkin seedlings hate transplanting - if the roots break, they get sick for a long time, and may even die. Because it has huge leaves that evaporate a lot of moisture. And damaged roots simply will not be able to provide plants with water. Therefore, it is better to sow the seeds immediately in separate cups - plastic ones with a volume of 0.5 liters are suitable - to a depth of 3 - 4 cm (2). The cups are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 25 - 30 ° C - in such conditions, the seeds germinate on days 5 - 6 (3). After the shoots appear, it is better to transfer the seedlings to a cooler place, where it will be 15 - 17 ° C during the day, and 11 - 14 ° C at night. And, of course, the place for seedlings should be very bright. In such conditions, she will grow strong and stocky.

Seedlings should be watered very carefully and rarely, so that the soil dries out completely between waterings. Pumpkin does not tolerate excess moisture! And be careful not to get water on the leaves - they can rot or get sunburned.

Seedlings do not need to be fertilized - before planting in the garden, they will have enough nutrients that are in the soil.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about growing pumpkins with agronomist-breeder Svetlana Mikhailova.

How to choose a pumpkin variety?

There are 3 types of pumpkins that differ in taste, size and shelf life. The largest fruits grow in large-fruited pumpkins, and they are stored the longest - up to 175 days. The sweetest are nutmeg pumpkins, but they are stored a little less - up to 140 days. The most unpretentious are hard-skinned pumpkins, but they are stored less than others - about 100 days.

Can I sow my own pumpkin seeds?

Pumpkins cross-pollinate very easily, not only with all types of pumpkins, but also with marrows and squash. In order for the variety to retain its characteristics, it is important that there are no other varieties and related crops next to it within a radius of 800 m. And this is unrealistic, because almost all summer residents grow zucchini. So it's better to buy seeds. Or isolate the flowers and pollinate them manually.

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