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When should pumpkin seeds be planted


Pumpkin Growing - How And When To Plant Pumpkin Seeds

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Pumpkins

By: Heather Rhoades

Image by Valentina Sheboltaeva

When do you start growing a pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is a question that many gardeners have. These spectacular squash are not only a fun fall decoration, but they can make several tasty treats as well. Pumpkin growing isn’t hard and is even a popular garden activity for a child in the garden. Let’s take a few minutes to learn a few pumpkin growing tips for starting pumpkins from seed.

When to Plant Pumpkin Seeds

Before you can grow pumpkin seeds, you need to know when to plant pumpkin seeds. When you plant your pumpkins depends on what you plan on using them for.

If you plan on making jack-o-lanterns with your pumpkins, plant your pumpkins outside after all chance of frost has passed and the soil temperature has reached 65 F. (18 C.). Take into account that pumpkin plants grow faster in hot climates than cold climates. This means that what month to plant pumpkin seeds changes depending on where you live. So, in cooler parts of the country, the best time when to plant pumpkin seeds is in late May and in warmer parts of the country, you can wait until mid July to plant pumpkins for Halloween.

If you plan on growing pumpkins as a food crop (or for a giant pumpkin contest), you can start your pumpkins indoors about two to three weeks before the last frost date for your area.

How to Plant Pumpkin Seeds

Starting Pumpkin Seeds Outside

When you plant pumpkin seeds outside, remember that pumpkins need an incredible amount of space to grow. It’s recommended that you plan on a minimum of 20 square feet (2 sq. m.) being needed for each plant.

When the soil temperature is at least 65 F. (18 C.), you can plant your pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds won’t germinate in cold soil. Mound the soil up a bit in the center of the chosen location to help the sun heat the pumpkin seeds. The warmer the soil, the faster the pumpkin seeds will germinate. In the mound, plant three to five pumpkin seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep.

Once the pumpkin seeds germinate, select two of the healthiest and thin out the rest.

Starting Pumpkin Seeds Indoors

Loosely pack some potting soil in a cup or a container with holes for drainage. Plant two to four pumpkin seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep in the soil. Water the pumpkin seeds just enough so that the soil is moist but not swamped. Place the cup on a heating pad. Once seeds have germinated, thin out all but the strongest seedling, then place the seeding and cup under a light source (bright window or fluorescent light bulb). Keeping the seedling on the heating pad will cause it to grow faster.

Once all danger of frost has passed in your area, move the pumpkin seedling to the garden. Carefully remove the pumpkin seedling from the cup, but don’t disturb the roots of the plant. Place in a hole 1-2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) deeper and wider than the rootball of the pumpkin plant and backfill the hole. Tap down around the pumpkin seedling and water thoroughly.

Pumpkin growing can be rewarding and fun. Take some time this year to plant pumpkin seeds in your garden.

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When to Plant Pumpkin Seeds: 5 Important Factors to Consider

Who doesn’t like the sight of bright, round, and juicy pumpkins in the front yard, especially if they are on your own pumpkin patch? Pumpkin is a great fruit to grow in your home garden, and not just as a traditional and fun Halloween decoration!

Pumpkins can be used to make beverages, soups, bread, and most importantly, desserts. From pumpkin pies and muffins to custards and pancakes, this fruit can be used as the key ingredient in a lot of culinary classics. Pumpkins have a variety of health benefits too, making them the perfect healthy snack for the whole family.

If you’re planning to grow a pumpkin in your garden, there are a few things you need to know first — the most important of them all is when to plant pumpkin seeds. This article takes you through the factors you need to consider when planting pumpkins so read on!

Factors to Consider

1. Planned Use for the Pumpkins

Do you want pumpkins solely for Halloween and making jack-o’-lanterns? Or are you looking to add another fresh fruit to your backyard? You can decide when to plant pumpkin seeds depending on what you intend to use your pumpkin for.

As a food crop, the best yield of pumpkins can be ensured by growing them indoors around two to three weeks before the last date of frost in your region. The same goes if you’re planning to enter a pumpkin competition!

2. Your Climate

Pumpkins grow more quickly in hotter climates than they do in colder ones. So, if you need Halloween pumpkins, you’ll need to plant your pumpkin seeds earlier if you live in a colder climate.

If you want to know when to plant pumpkin seeds, the best time is late May if you live in a cold climate. This gives the plant enough time to grow until fall. In warm or hot weather, pumpkin seeds can be planted from July to mid-July if you want them ready for Halloween.

3. Rich Soil, Sun, and Space

You’ll also need to consider the space you have and whether it will be enough to accommodate big fruits like pumpkins. Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of sun your garden receives in a day and how rich your soil is in nutrients and minerals.

4. Timing to Consider

Planting Pumpkin Seeds According to the Soil Temperature

As mentioned earlier, pumpkins grow well and faster in warm climates. Naturally, warmer soil is better for their growth. For big, juicy pumpkins that are perfect for jack-o-lanterns, plant pumpkins outdoors once the threat of frost has passed.

The perfect soil temperature to plant pumpkin seeds is 65°F (~18°C). Since pumpkin seeds can’t germinate in cold soil, it’s important to note the soil temperature before planting. The warmer the soil, the better the yield!

An easy trick for warming outdoor soil faster is to cover areas that are cold with black plastic. Since black absorbs heat, it will help focus heat on the covered spots while increasing soil temperature. Once you’re sure of when to plant pumpkin seeds, just cut small slits in the plastic material and sow the seeds through them.

Planting Pumpkin Seeds According to Air Temperature

Pumpkin plants grow really well in warmer climates, but the opposite is true too. Their growth is inhibited by cold weather. So, if you want your pumpkins ready for Halloween, it’s better to grow them indoors until the danger of frost has passed. Plant seeds directly into the soil only if there’s no risk of frost.

Planting Pumpkin Seeds According to Soil Moisture Content

Pumpkins need soil with the right amount of moisture — not too dry, not too moist. If you reside in a hot and dry climate, you can add mulch to the soil. This helps retain soil moisture and keeps your pumpkin seeds healthy. Make sure to water the soil carefully, too much water can hamper your plant’s growth.

Planting Pumpkin Seeds Using Frost Dates of Regions

One thing to remember about pumpkins is they require a long growing season. This means they need at least 75 to 100 frost-free days to grow in favorable conditions.

When considering when to plant pumpkin seeds, make sure that all danger of frost has passed before sowing seeds directly into the soil. If the growing season in your area is very short, you can start planting pumpkin seeds indoors in pots around two to three weeks before the last frost.

5. Impact of Variety

Much like other fruits, pumpkins are available in different varieties. Each pumpkin variety impacts when to plant pumpkin seeds. Some grow faster while others take longer.

A miniature pumpkin like Jack Be Little can grow quite fast, whereas larger pumpkins like Dill’s Atlantic Giant can take almost double the time! Make sure you check the time it takes to fully grow the variety of pumpkin you’re using before deciding when to plant pumpkin seeds.

Days to Maturity and Its Influence on Planting Time

“Days to maturity” refers to the average number of days it takes to harvest a crop from the day of planting. The days to maturity for pumpkins differ according to the variety but on average, pumpkins take around 90 to 120 days to mature.

Mini pumpkins like Munchkin, Jack Be Little, and others have fewer days to maturity, averaging around 90 days. Normal-sized pumpkins that are used for carving during Halloween take around 100 to 120 days to mature. Giant pumpkins, however, will take a lot more time to mature — around 130 to 160 days! So, make to consider days to maturity as you plan when to plant pumpkin seeds.

Planting Pumpkin Seeds Outdoors

Keep in mind that pumpkins need plenty of space to grow if you’re growing them outdoors. Each plant will require a minimum of 20 square feet, so plan accordingly.

If you live in a warmer climate, you can directly sow seeds in your garden soil once the frost has passed. Pick a spot that offers full sun to light shade since pumpkins grow well in warm conditions. Once the soil temperature is at least 65°F (~18°C), you can safely plant the pumpkin seeds.

Planting Pumpkin Seeds Outdoors from Purchased Transplants

If it’s too much of a hassle to grow seeds indoors before moving them outdoors, you can purchase pumpkin seedlings that are ready to be grown outdoors. These are generally found at local nurseries and garden stores.

Planting Pumpkin Seeds Indoors

For those living in colder regions where the frost lasts longer, you can start by growing pumpkin seeds indoors around two to three weeks before the end of the frost.

Plant three to four pumpkin seeds in a container packed with potting soil. Make sure to plant them an inch deep into the soil.

Either place the containers under artificial lights or place them by a window that receives an ample amount of sunlight. You can also keep a heating pad under the pot or container. After germination, pick out the strongest seedling of the lot.

Once the frost has passed, you can safely transplant the germinated seed to the soil outdoors.

When Is Too Late to Plant Pumpkin Seeds?

If you live in colder regions, growing a pumpkin can be difficult if you don’t know when to plant pumpkin seeds. Generally, the best time to plant pumpkin seeds is when the last of the frost has passed. For those in colder regions, you need to start planting your pumpkin seeds indoors so they’re ready for transplanting once the frost passes.

Pumpkins grow pretty fast in warm weather, so you can plant pumpkin seeds even if it’s the middle of July (but no later).

Wrapping Up When to Plant Pumpkin Seeds

A lot of factors need to be considered as you decide when to plant pumpkin seeds. The thing with pumpkins is they aren’t a difficult plant to grow. You just need to know when to plant pumpkin seeds and how to take care of them, and you’re all set!

Excited for more pumpkin content? Keep learning all about pumpkin plants to become an expert on pumpkin planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and more!

How and when to plant pumpkin seeds in open ground in 2022

Pumpkin is loved by both adults and children, its delicate, amazing taste and beneficial properties can leave few people indifferent. At the same time, the abundance of recipes is striking, according to which it is possible to cook the fruit in an interesting way. Growing a crop in a garden is not particularly difficult, however, in order to get strong and strong plants, and subsequently a good harvest, you need to properly plant pumpkin seeds in open ground.

Please note! The rules for site preparation, site selection also apply to planting seedlings in the garden.

Content

When to plant pumpkin seeds in open ground

Pumpkin and other members of the Cucurbitaceae family (zucchini, cucumbers, melons) are heat-loving crops, so it is very important to choose the most suitable time for sowing in the garden. If the crop is planted too early, then very unfavorable phenomena can occur: the seeds may rot in cold soil, or the seeds will germinate for a long time and unfriendly, the seedlings may die in the event of frost.

When is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds outdoors in order to get friendly and strong seedlings? Planting can only be done after the risk of returning frosts has passed in spring . Any decrease in temperature is very dangerous for the culture; at t below -1 ° C, the plants will easily die.

The most important criterion when choosing the timing is the temperature of the soil and air. You can sow pumpkin seeds after soil temperature (first 10 cm) reaches +13-15°C. A stable positive air temperature should also be established: daytime t should be above 15 degrees, but at night the temperature should be consistently above 8 degrees Celsius.

It is difficult to name the exact month and ten days of sowing (spring or early summer) due to the fact that the weather and climatic conditions of different regions are very different. Conventionally, the following dates for planting pumpkins in open ground can be distinguished:

Pumpkin has a long growing season (120-140 days). For this reason, in cold regions (Moscow region, Siberia, Ural, Leningrad region), it is better to first grow pumpkin seedlings, and then plant them in open ground. Pumpkin seedlings should be planted 25-30 days before planting in open ground.

Without seedlings in such regions it is desirable to plant early maturing varieties.

Dates for planting pumpkins in open ground according to the Lunar calendar of 2022

When choosing more accurate planting dates, you can take the cycles of the moon as the main reference. It is believed that with their help you can identify the best and least suitable time. So, we can distinguish the following dates for planting pumpkin seeds in open ground according to the Lunar calendar of 2022:

Popular types and varieties of pumpkin0003
  • Large-fruited - the most cold-resistant species, characterized by large fruits, suitable for long-term storage, but ripens later than the hard-barked variety. Popular varieties of large-fruited species are "Khutoryanka", "Sweet Pie", "Gribovskaya Winter".
  • Hardbark is the earliest maturing, unpretentious, hardy pumpkin, it tolerates temperature changes well. The fruits themselves are small in size, have a hard, woody crust, and are well stored for a long time. Has good taste. Popular varieties: Bush Orange, Golosemyanka, Spaghetti, Altai.
  • Muscat is the most heat-loving type of pumpkin, it has the longest ripening period (i.e. late ripening), in cold regions (Siberia, the Urals, the Moscow region) it has time to ripen only when grown through seedlings. It is believed that they are the most delicious. Varieties of nutmeg pumpkin: "Pearl", "Provencal", "Guitar", "Cello".

Where to plant pumpkins on the plot: choosing the right place But this does not mean that you can plant a crop on any garden bed in your dacha or plot of a private house. A place for planting a pumpkin must be sunny, plants should be well lit during the day. In shady locations, the size of the fruit will be small, and the taste will be worse (they will grow low in sugar).

If you decide to grow climbing pumpkins, then it is best to plant them near the building, fence, gazebo, trellis on the south side, so that later on the building to direct the whips up. In addition to saving space when growing pumpkins vertically, you will also decorate the yard.

Plot must be protected from cold wind and drafts . Also, bed should not be waterlogged (this can happen when the groundwater is high, or when the bed is in a lowland where moisture accumulates).

Tip! It is not recommended to plant other cucurbits next to the squash. In close proximity, cross-pollination may occur, because of this, the shape, color and taste of the fruits may differ from the declared characteristics of the variety.

Then plant a pumpkin: good and bad predecessors

An important point in choosing a bed for planting any vegetable crop is following the rules of crop rotation, that is, crop rotation.

The best predecessors for pumpkin: cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, legumes, onions, garlic, green manure, eggplants, beets, carrots, peppers.

After what you can not plant pumpkins? The worst predecessors of are representatives of the Pumpkin family (melon, zucchini, watermelon, cucumbers, squash, and of course, the pumpkin itself). It can be planted after the listed crops only after 4 years.

How to prepare the garden and soil for planting pumpkins

Pumpkins produce the best crops on fertile, loose, neutral soil . But the culture does not like heavy, dense, clayey or damp soil! Sandy, light and medium loamy soils that meet the above requirements are excellent.

Therefore, the task of the gardener before planting seeds is to prepare a bed in the chosen place, this can be done as follows:

  • Dig the garden bed onto a shovel bayonet.
  • Apply organic fertilizers for digging: compost or humus (5 kilograms per 1 square meter).

  • Mineral fertilizers should also be added for digging. For spring application, the complex fertilizer Nitroammophoska (30 g per 1 sq. m.) is excellent. If you are preparing the beds in the fall, then you can add 1 sq.m. superphosphate (30 g), potassium sulfate (20 g), and in the spring to apply nitrogen fertilizer - ammonium nitrate (15 g).
  • If the soil is acidic, then wood ash or dolomite flour should be added at a rate of 200-300 grams per sq.m.
  • If the soil in your garden plot is clayey, heavy, then it is also necessary to add non-acidic peat and sand for digging (one bucket of each substance per 1 sq.m.).
  • Loosen the soil well with a rake.

Tip! 1-1.5 weeks before sowing, it is recommended to lay a film or agrofiber on the bed, the material will additionally warm the area.

Instead of preparing a large area of ​​the bed, you can prepare individual planting holes. Thus, the preparation procedure will become less laborious. Hole preparation should be done 2-3 weeks before sowing, or at least 7 days in advance:

  • Make a hole 45 centimeters deep. In this case, the distance between the holes should be 60-90 centimeters.
  • Half fill the hole with humus or semi-decomposed manure, mix with crushed weeds. You can also add superphosphate (50 grams) and wood ash (half a glass).
  • Top with a layer of normal fertile soil 15-20 cm thick.
  • Water the hole liberally. After plain water, it is useful to pour Fitosporin solution to prevent fungal diseases.

The presence of semi-rotted manure and weeds in the hole will allow you to create a warm bed, heat will be released due to fermentation processes (and the culture is known to be thermophilic).

How to prepare pumpkin seeds for outdoor planting

Carefully inspect pumpkin seeds before sowing. Damaged, moldy, rotten specimens or seeds of a crooked, irregular shape are best discarded. After calibration, it is useful to start preparing pumpkin seeds for planting in open ground, pre-sowing treatment improves germination.

Please note! Dry seeds can also be planted without any treatment, but shoots will appear 5-7 days later.

There are several simple and effective ways to prepare:

  • Hot water soak. To do this, fill the seeds with water at a temperature of 50-55 degrees, leave for 1-2 hours.

  • Warm water soak. Wrap the seeds in gauze or cotton cloth, moisten the material moderately with warm water and leave to soak for 12 hours. By the way, you can soak in a solution of wood ash, for this you need to dilute 2 tbsp. ash in 1 liter of hot water, wait until cool.
  • Decontamination. If you doubt the quality of the seeds (for example, collected them yourself or took them from friends) and suspect that they may contain pathogens, then you can decontaminate them. For example, soak in a solution of Fitosporin biofungicide (according to instructions) or in Chlorhexidine 0. 05% (30 minutes). Then be sure to rinse them in clean water.
  • Germination. Perhaps this method of presowing treatment of pumpkin seeds can be called one of the most effective. It helps to significantly speed up the emergence of seedlings after sowing in open ground, and also allows you to immediately find out which seeds are viable and which are not (they will not germinate, they do not need to be sown). For germination, you need to cover the pumpkin seeds with a cloth or cotton pads on both sides, moisten with water, place in a bag and put in a warm place (temperature about + 24-27 degrees). Then you should check the seeds every day, they should germinate in 2-4 days, immediately after germination, you need to plant them in the garden! Please note that the fabric or discs must not dry out!

  • Germination in sawdust. The method is similar to the above, but in this case you need to pour sawdust into a glass jar or plastic bowl, pour a little boiling water over it and cover with a lid. When the water has cooled, you need to put the seeds in the sawdust, tie the jar or container itself in a bag and put it in a dark place until germination.

Please note! Sow seeds in open ground immediately after pre-sowing treatment.

Scheme of planting pumpkin seeds in open ground

Sowing seeds of this crop is a fairly simple procedure. If you have completed all the above procedures, then the matter remains small. You can plant pumpkin seeds in open ground according to the following scheme:

  • Make planting holes. The depth of the holes is 5 cm, the distance between them is 60-90 cm. The gap depends on the variety, more detailed information should be indicated on the package with seeds.
  • Water generously with warm water, wait until the water is completely absorbed.
  • Sow, according to the size of the holes, the seeds are sown to a depth of 5 cm. Germinated seeds should be sown with a shoot down.

Tip! If you have done pre-sowing preparation, then it is better to plant 2-3 seeds in one hole. If some specimens do not germinate, you will definitely get seedlings. If 2 or 3 seeds germinate, then you will need to remove them, leaving 1 strongest plant.

  • Backfill holes with earth.
  • Water them moderately.
  • Mulch the area around with humus (however, nothing should lie on the hole itself, so as not to prevent seedlings from growing).
  • Cover the bed with foil or covering material (spunbond, lutrasil). After germination, the material must be removed.

The aftercare of the pumpkin after planting in open ground consists in weeding, loosening the soil, watering, fertilizing, pinching lashes, protection from pests and diseases. When the pumpkins are formed, you need to put cardboard under them to protect them from the ground.

favorable days according to the lunar calendar

Favorable days for planting seedlings at home or in a greenhouse

In the south and the middle lane, pumpkins have time to ripen, even if seeds are sown immediately in the garden on May 20-25 (1). 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.

Auspicious days for planting seedlings in open ground

If you decide to plant a pumpkin in the beds early, after May 10, you will need to cover it with 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.

Harden off seedlings a week before planting. 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: May 1-15, May 31, June 1-12.

How to determine the timing of planting 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 seedlings 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.

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