Planting pumpkin seeds in open ground. Planting pumpkin seeds in open ground - from a seed to a large crop. Planting pumpkin seedlings

Pumpkin is an unpretentious, widespread and easily cultivated plant. Belongs to the genus of heat-loving herbaceous plants, distinguish between food and fodder pumpkin. The plant is grown through seeds. In the article, we will look at how pumpkin seeds are planted in open ground, what factors should be taken into account to get a rich harvest in the country.

Factors affecting pumpkin yield

Pumpkin is a plant for which the length of daylight hours plays a huge role. Short daylight hours for this vegetable crop is considered the main factor affecting yield. Therefore, daylight hours less than 12 hours is a favorable factor for the intensive growth of the root system, leafy shoots, which leads to an early transition to fruiting and a rich harvest.

Pumpkin culture prefers cleared areas, therefore, seeds are planted in open ground after preparatory and preventive measures:

• clean the soil by peeling from perennial weeds;
• after peeling, dig the soil to a depth of at least 30 cm;
• stabilize the Ph level of the soil to a neutral composition;
• form loamy soil. Such soil easily passes and retains water, quickly warms up;
• exclude proximity to upright plants that can block sunlight.

For soil fertility, not only fertilizer is responsible, but also the mechanical composition of the soil.

Sandy loamy soil is well warmed up by the sun's rays, easily passes water, but does not retain it well, which leads to leaching of nutrients from the soil layers in which the pumpkin root ovary is located. Such a soil before planting a pumpkin should be improved by increasing the ability to retain moisture.

In order for the soil to retain moisture, it must be mixed with light loamy soil with a volume of 30-40% of the volume of the improved soil.

Planting pumpkin seeds is carried out directly on the beds under the warm climatic conditions of a particular region. If the region is characterized by the absence of a long warm climate, then planting pumpkins in open ground can be done with seedlings.

Preparing pumpkin seeds for planting in open ground

Preparation is carried out with the selection of large and high-quality pumpkin seeds. Selected seeds must be processed in order to:

• disinfection;
• increase the immunity of seeds against diseases;
• accelerate growth and development.

To destroy pathogenic microflora on the surface of seeds, several main methods are distinguished:

Substance name	Cooking method	Time of processing	Additional Information
Potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate)	Mix 1g of potassium permanganate with 100 ml of warm water	Seeds are soaked in the solution for no more than 30 minutes.	The solution should be bright red.
Formalin 40%	3 g of formalin mixed with 300 ml of water at room temperature	Seeds in a bag are soaked for no more than 5 minutes	After soaking, the seeds are left in the bag for 2 hours. Then take out and dry
potassium humate	Dilute 0.5 g of potassium humate in a liter of water	Soak seeds for 24 hours	After soaking, the seeds are covered with wet gauze for 2 days.
sodium humate	Dilute 1/3 tsp. sodium humate per 2 liters of water	Soak seeds for 2 days	At room temperature 20-22 °С
Sun rays	Spread the seeds in direct sunlight	Dry the seeds in the sun for 5-7 days	Once a day, the seeds must be turned over

Cleaning the surfaces of pumpkin seeds increases their germination, improves the sowing quality of seeds, increases the plant growth rate, and increases resistance to diseases and pests.

Pumpkin seeds, before planting them, experienced gardeners check them for germination. For testing seeds, as many seeds are selected as it is not a pity and they are germinated. The more seeds were taken, the more accurate the germination percentage will be.

If out of 18-20 seeds 15-16 sprouted, then germination is considered productive

Germination and hardening of seeds

Experienced gardeners do not recommend planting seeds in open ground. It will be right to start the seeds to germinate. To do this, the best seeds after treatment from pathogenic microflora soak the seeds for 2-3 hours in warm water, the water temperature should be 50-55 0 C. After the seeds should be wrapped in a damp thin cloth and placed in a warm place.

The seed soaking procedure is necessary for their rapid germination, as well as in order to prevent pests from eating the seeds, since the seeds lose their taste after soaking.

It is recommended that hatched pumpkin seeds be passed through the hardening procedure. Basically, hardening is necessary for such pumpkin varieties that are intended for cultivation in the southern regions of the country. For regions with a cooler climate, such varieties are recommended to be hardened. The hardening procedure is carried out in two ways:

1. Swollen or already germinated pumpkin seeds, without removing the damp cloth, are placed for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in the lower compartment in which vegetables are stored.
2. The germination procedure is carried out with sudden changes in temperature. For example, the seeds are kept in a damp cloth for 10 consecutive hours at a temperature of + 18 +20 ° C., then the seeds are removed for 2-3 hours in a cool place, the temperature of which is + 1 + 2 ° C.

It is known that the pumpkin does not tolerate transplanting well, so it is recommended that the germinated seeds be immediately planted in fertilized beds.

Tip #1. For the northern regions, planting pumpkin seeds in open ground can be done on raised beds. Such beds are formed as follows: in the selected area, a layer of soil is removed 25-30 cm deep. Organic fertilizer is laid in layers with soil in the resulting trench. The bottom of the trench can be covered with branches, leaves, sawdust, and you can finish with a layer of compost. The finished view of the beds should be 30 cm above the soil level. The elevated bed is fenced with pieces of boards and slate and covered with a dense film.

Under favorable conditions, the seeds germinate on the 3rd day.

Pre-sowing top dressing of the soil and the period of sowing seeds

Sow seeds after soil treatment. It is important to sow seeds on the same day after tillage. For processing use:

• manure/litter;
• compost;
• mineral fertilizers;
• phosphate fertilizers.

Tip # 2. To set the active growth and development of the seeds, it is necessary to fertilize each square meter of the bed with the following composition: mix 2 buckets of humus with half a bucket of sawdust, add 1 liter of wood ash and a glass of mineral fertilizer called Nitrofoska.

Before planting, the seeds are heated at a temperature of 40 degrees for 10 hours.

Plant seeds in warm soil. The optimum soil temperature for sowing should be at least 10-12 0 C, otherwise there is a risk that the seeds will begin to rot due to the high moisture content in the soil. Gardeners, before sowing pumpkin seeds, water the beds with hot water.

The best time for planting pumpkins in open ground with seeds is the second half of May. This is the time when the seeds and young shoots are no longer threatened with frost. The soil during this period contains less moisture and is warm enough for planting seeds.

Planting pumpkin seeds in open ground

Seeds are sown in the morning, in moist, warm soil enriched with fertilizers. Before planting seeds in the soil, it is necessary to form holes at a distance of about 1 m from each other. As for the row spacing, they are located at a distance of 1.5 - 2 m from each other.

The planting hole is abundantly watered with warm water. Seeds are laid in the holes as water is absorbed to a depth of 9-10 cm. It is recommended to sow 3-5 seeds in each hole. The top layer of soil is sprinkled with fertilizers such as peat chips or ordinary humus. The fertilizer layer should not exceed 2 cm, because the sprouts are very weak and may not break through a thick layer.

When planting seeds, the depth of planting less than 7-8 cm should be avoided. Shallow planting of seeds leads to seedlings "in the shirt", together with the seed coat.

Pumpkin is very fond of fertilizer. During the period of growth and development, the plant should be fed every two weeks. The pumpkin is planted away from erect plants, and the beds are formed in open areas with direct access to sunlight.

We list the basic principles for caring for the growth and development of pumpkins:

• seed selection;
• seed disinfection;
• seed germination;
• seed hardening;
• when sowing, fertilize and pour warm water over the wells;
• lay seeds to a depth of less than 7-8 cm;
• for optimal temperature conditions, cover with a film;
• beds should be located on the sunny side.

The second stage of pumpkin cultivation is the proper care of the plant: feeding every 2 weeks, watering and forming ovaries.

Care and formation of pumpkin ovaries

The main care procedure is to form the correct growth and development of the plant. The main stem is pinched as soon as it reaches a length of 1.3-1.5 m and ovaries of 1-2 fruits are formed on it.

Lateral processes are left 50-60 cm long, provided that ovaries have formed on them

The timely procedure of pinching a plant helps to form 3 fruits on one plant: on the main stem and on two side shoots. The main task of the plant formation procedure is the removal of excess shoots and processes of the plant. If you do not form a pumpkin plant, then many small fruits are formed on it, half of which die due to the lack of a sufficient amount of nutrients, the other half do not have time to ripen.

At the stage of formation of the ovaries, the plant is watered only with warm water. At the time of fruit formation, watering should be limited. Feeding the plant until fruit ripening is required every two weeks. At the ripening stage, it is recommended to put glass under each ripening fruit so that it does not come into contact with the soil, and watering should be plentiful, once a week, 20-25 liters of water per plant.

During the period of pumpkin growth, high-quality crop protection from pests is required. There are the following methods of pest control:

Pests	area affected	How amaze	Consequences of defeat	Fight method	Processing method
	The aerial part of the plant	Sucks the juice from the shoots	Leaves, ovaries die	Soap solution: 100g grated soap mixed with warm water	Spray on the ground part of the plant
Medvedka	underground part of the plant	gnaws at the roots	The root crop rots	The drug "Medvedox"	Granules put into holes
	ground part	Stems, leaves	Leaves and ovaries die	Moisten the cloth with a solution of wood ash	Lay out wet rags

The following organic mixture is suitable as the main top dressing for a ripening crop: add manure to hot water, the amount of manure is determined by eye until the mass acquires a creamy consistency. The mass should be insisted until the first signs of fermentation appear in it. Then 500 ml of the finished mixture is diluted with a bucket of warm water.

The side lashes are sprinkled in places of contact with the soil so that several more root systems are formed for additional plant nutrition.

Types of sweet varieties of pumpkin

Variety "Baby"- the fruits of this variety are small 2-3 kg. It has a gray color and a flattened shape. From planting to harvest is 3 months.

Variety "Atlant" refers to a late-ripening variety, the fruits are characterized by large sizes, weight is 20 kg. From planting to harvest is 4 months.

Variety "Big Max"- refers to a late-ripening variety, the fruits are characterized by large sizes, weight is 40 kg. From planting to harvest is 5 months.

Variety "Almond"- the fruits of this variety are small - 5-7 kg. From planting to harvest is 4 months.

3 mistakes when planting pumpkin seeds

1. Many gardeners refuse to test seeds for germination before sowing them in open ground. Sow old seeds, while not getting the desired number of seedlings.
2. Seedlings may be weak if the seeds were sown in the soil after harvesting zucchini, squash and cucumbers.
3. If the ovary is small, it is better not to water the pumpkin, otherwise large lashes and leaves will grow, and the fruits will form small.

Answers to frequently asked questions of gardeners

Question number 1. What type of pumpkin is planted only with seedlings?

Only the nutmeg variety of pumpkin is grown outdoors through seedlings.

Question #2. How many plants can be left in one hole?

When the plants sprout and get stronger, the strongest 2 plants are left in the holes. Weak ones are pinched so as not to damage their common root system.

Question number 3. In what cases are pumpkin seeds sown not in the beds?

In light loamy soil.

Question number 4. What vegetables are considered the predecessors of pumpkin?

Tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions and potatoes are considered to be the predecessors of the pumpkin plant.

Question #5. Can seeds be heated in the oven?

It is possible, but the air temperature in the oven should be 30 ° C. After the oven, the seeds are wrapped in a light cloth in 3-4 layers, and soaked for 5 minutes in an ash solution. After the seeds are removed and placed on the windowsill for swelling.

The nutmeg variety of pumpkin is considered useful, but it is difficult to grow it, since this variety is considered thermophilic and late-ripening. But, do not be upset, nutmeg pumpkin can be grown in the conditions of a short summer:

• Muscat pumpkin seeds are kept in a formalin solution for no more than 2 hours. Then I leave the seeds for drying in direct sunlight. I immerse dry seeds in warm water for 2-3 minutes, wrap them in a warm thin cloth and put them in a warm place.
• A day later, I harden the seeds, put them out on the balcony for the night. I transplant the strongest and healthiest seedlings into boxes 40-50 cm deep with warm and insulated soil. I grow seedlings until July in greenhouse conditions, until the seedlings finally get stronger.
• I plant seedlings in open ground on raised insulated beds under a film in the first half of June.
• I shoot the film at the beginning of July. If the weather is sunny, then the pumpkin ripens without a film until mid-August.
• In the second half of August, I harvest the crop in an unripe state and put it in a warm room. Butternut squash ripens within 25-30 days at a temperature of +24+26°C.

Growing pumpkins outdoors

Pumpkin (lat. Cucurbita) is a vitamin-rich vegetable that has a pleasant mild taste and is used in many dietary dishes. Growing a crop requires compliance with certain conditions and rules, which we will consider in more detail.

Preparation and planting of pumpkins in open ground

Growing pumpkins is possible in two ways:

• Planting non-dive seedlings;
• Sowing prepared seeds.

Pre-sowing seed treatment

Growing pumpkins in the open field begins with the preparation of seeds, which are soaked in water, preferably in sodium humate or potassium humate, for a day. Having taken the seeds out of the water, they are covered with a damp cloth or gauze for two days, leaving in a shaded place at a temperature of up to plus 23 gr. Celsius. The fabric is constantly moistened. It is not recommended to take seeds from the crop of the year before last - there may be poor germination.

For dressing against diseases, the seeds are immersed in a 30% solution of table salt (2 tablespoons of salt per 100 ml of water). Healthy and strong specimens will sink to the bottom, while weak specimens will float up and be discarded.

After germination, the sprouts are placed in plastic cups or pots up to 10 cm in diameter, with prepared soil: peat mixture mixed with sand and garden soil (1: 1: 1).

Transplantation and cultivation of pumpkins in open ground in the Moscow region occurs after the appearance of three full-fledged leaves. On average, the age of seedlings should be about a month.

Site selection and soil preparation

The site allocated for growing pumpkins is chosen away from upright crops, with a flat surface and good access to sunlight. The land is pre-fertilized: per 1 sq.m. take 2 buckets of humus, 0.5 buckets of wood shavings, 1 liter of wood ash and 200 g of nitrophoska. The soil is dug up to a depth of 50 cm and beds up to 70 cm wide are formed.

Pumpkin seeds or seedlings are planted in warm soil from mid-May, while the air temperature should exceed the average daily plus 10 gr. Celsius. If the seeds are planted earlier, they will not be able to develop properly and will rot.

Growing pumpkins in open ground on a site where potatoes, melons, sunflowers or watermelons have previously grown is not recommended. In one place, a pumpkin is planted with a break of five years. Sandy, light and medium loamy soils with a neutral Ph 4.5-5 are most suitable for growing pumpkins.

pumpkin planting technology

Holes for seeds or seedlings are made along the entire garden at a distance of 0.9-1 m from each other and to a depth of 5-7 cm. At least 2 liters of water are poured into each hole, the temperature of which should not be lower than plus 50 gr. Celsius, after which they proceed to sowing.

Top mulch with sawdust, straw or peat. Growing pumpkins in open ground in Siberia is a little different: it is recommended to sow 2 seeds per hole. After they germinate, choose a weaker plant and remove it.

Agrotechnics for growing pumpkins in the open field includes additional cover of the planted seeds with a film, which is carefully fixed along the perimeter of the garden. Covering material creates greenhouse conditions and helps protect seedlings from possible frosts.

After the sprouts have reached 50 cm in height, the film is lifted, stretching it over a wire frame. In mid-June, the material is removed.

The unframed film left in the garden can be used instead of mulch, which will help ease the care of the pumpkin during growth. In covering material with this use, cross-shaped incisions are made for sprouts.

Planting and growing pumpkins in the open field video

Pumpkin Care Rules

Caring for a pumpkin in the open field does not cause difficulties, as it consists in timely watering and top dressing.

Fertilization

Top dressing should be applied no more than once every 2 weeks. Top dressing of pumpkins in the open ground with minerals is performed twice: when five sheets appear (10 g of nitrophoska per 1 plant in dry form); when lashes appear (15 g of nitrophoska per 10 liters of water under each bush).

Feeding pumpkins with wood ash (1 cup per 1 plant) and mullein (1 liter of mullein per 10 liters of water) is also effective. Mullein is introduced at the beginning of the growing season (1 bucket for 6 plants) and during fruiting (1 bucket for 3 bushes).

All dressings are brought into a ring-shaped ditch, increasing the depth from 8 to 15 cm as the pumpkin grows. At the seedling stage, a recess is dug at a distance of 15 cm, after 2 weeks it is increased to 40 cm.

watering pumpkin

Before watering, the soil is loosened 10 cm deep, trying not to hook the root, and cleared of weeds. Watering pumpkins in open ground is carried out only with warm water, 50 gr. Celsius, do not use cold artesian or well water.

Timely abundant irrigation during flowering is especially important: moisture is necessary for the formation of female inflorescences. Water consumption during this period is about 30 liters per 1 plant.

During fruit ripening, the amount of water during irrigation is reduced, since excess moisture reduces the shelf life and reduces the sugar content of the fruit.

Growing pumpkin video

Formation of pumpkin lashes

The formation of a pumpkin during cultivation allows you not to waste energy on extra ovaries and shoots, due to which larger fruits with better taste characteristics grow. While the main stem has reached a length of 1.5 m, pinch it. They leave only 2 lateral shoots up to 70 cm long. On each of them, a fruit ripens.

To speed up the filling of fruits, the shoots are pressed to the ground, sprinkled with a small layer of soil at a distance of up to half a meter from the main shoot for rooting. A piece of plywood or glass is placed under each emerging pumpkin to protect against fungal diseases that begin to develop on fruits from soil dampness.

Pinching and caring for a pumpkin in the open field video

Protection of pumpkin from diseases and pests

The most common squash diseases are fruit rot, powdery mildew and mosaic. Most often they appear due to increased dampness - a favorable environment for the development of bacteria and fungi. Of the pests, the spider mite most often affects the pumpkin, as well as the melon aphid.

powdery mildew

When the first symptoms of a fungal disease on pumpkin leaves are detected, they are treated with spraying with a solution of 3 g of potassium permanganate or 2 g of copper sulfate dissolved in 10 liters of water. They are treated with 1% Bordeaux liquid during the formation of ovaries and leaves. For prevention - carry out regular watering, observe crop rotation and destroy the remains of diseased plants.

Mosaic pumpkin

fruit rot

The rotten areas are carefully removed with a knife and the wound is wiped with freshly squeezed aloe juice. The rubbing area dries up, and the pumpkin continues to develop.

Ways to protect against insects

They fight against aphids by removing weeds, spraying with a soapy solution (200 g of grated soap per 10 liters of water) or 10% karbofos in a proportion of 60 g per 10 liters of water.

From spider mites, spraying with onion infusion of 200 g of husk per 10 l of water or a 20% solution of chloroethanol (20 g per 10 l of water) helps.

Harvesting and storage conditions of pumpkin

So that the pumpkin does not start to deteriorate in the garden, you need to harvest it on time. The moment of ripening can be recognized by the following features:

• The stalk becomes rough and rough;
• Foliage and lashes turn yellow and dry;
• The skin coarsens and acquires a pattern typical of the variety.

It is necessary to harvest the crop before stable frosts. Pumpkin pruning occurs with a stalk up to 6 cm. Cut fruits are folded into a dry, warm room. In a week, the pumpkins ripen, and the stalk dries up.

When frost occurs, unripe, unplucked pumpkins are mulched with straw or agrofibre.

Outcome

Compliance with all the conditions and rules for caring for a pumpkin will allow you to grow a rich harvest. Tasty and healthy vegetables are well stored until the New Year without any processing. Pumpkin can be used to prepare main dishes, desserts, soups, canned, or made from it.

Many delicious varieties of pumpkin can be grown by sowing seeds in open ground at the end of May, but not nutmeg - they simply will not sprout, they are best grown in seedlings. Seeds should be taken only fresh, it is advisable to check them for germination in order to know what to expect after sowing in the ground. Seeds that floated when soaked in salt water are discarded; those that have sunk to the bottom are prepared for sowing.

Pumpkin seeds before sowing need to be heated for 2-3 hours at a temperature of 60 degrees. After that, you need to disinfect them with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. In order for the sprout to be able to break through the hard skin of the seed, they are soaked for 12 hours with an aqueous infusion of ash or at least just water, which is changed every 4 hours. Those summer residents who are not afraid to use chemistry usually soak the seeds with a solution of fertilizers or a stimulant (crezacin, epin, potassium humate) to speed up germination. This not only accelerates growth, but also protects future seedlings from diseases and adverse environmental influences.

After soaking, the seeds are immediately planted in the ground or placed for germination. Seeds on sawdust germinate well and quickly. Sawdust is placed at the bottom of the box, spilled several times with hot water, seeds are placed on top of several layers of wet gauze, covered with several more layers of gauze and covered with sawdust. From above, the box is covered with a film - it turns out such a greenhouse, after 2-3 days the seeds will germinate, and they will need to be immediately planted in the ground.

Landing and care

Before sowing, it is desirable to prepare the soil. For 1 square meter of a plot for a pumpkin, 2 buckets of humus, half a bucket of sawdust, a glass of nitrophoska and a liter jar of wood ash are brought in. The site is thoroughly dug up to a depth of at least 40 cm and spilled with hot water. Sowing dates are determined by vegetable growers themselves, it depends on the weather and the characteristics of the variety. The hatched seeds of a large-fruited and hard-barked pumpkin are planted in the soil when it has already warmed up to 10 degrees at a depth of 10-12 cm. In the Moscow region, this usually happens at the end of May.

In light permeable soil, the seed is laid 8-10 cm, and if the earth is hard, then 4-5 cm with the beak or sprout down. If the planting is shallow, the sprouts can sprout without dropping the seed coat, then they can be pecked by birds. To prevent this from happening, you can close the crops or just check more often and remove the shell manually. A bush pumpkin is planted at a distance of 80 cm from each other, and it is better to plant a climbing pumpkin with an interval of 1 m.

3-5 seeds are placed in each hole at a distance of several centimeters. After sowing, the soil is mulched, many are advised to cover it with a film or non-woven fabric from the spring cold. When sprouts appear, leave the 2 strongest, and pinch off the rest. The pumpkin has a very developed root system, small sprouts are already intertwined with roots so as not to damage them (with the slightest damage to the root, the pumpkin will not grow), the extra ones are not pulled out, but they are pinched off.

After planting seedlings in open ground or sprouting from seeds, side shoots quickly form at the pumpkin, they need to be removed, leaving two more side shoots in addition to the main lash. The number of ovaries must also be limited, leaving 3-4 on each branch: after counting 5 leaves after the last ovary, the lash must be pinned, then the plant will not waste energy, but will direct them to fruit ripening.

So that the wind does not turn the whips over, they are sprinkled with moist soil, in which case additional roots may form, which will further strengthen the plant. Wide pumpkin leaves evaporate a lot of moisture, so watering is a must, and only with warm water. After planting in open ground, each plant is watered with 1 liter of water, and the older it is, the more water it needs, so at the end of summer each should receive at least 10 liters. When the fruits have reached their maximum size, watering is stopped.

If there are few bees or bumblebees on the site during the flowering of the pumpkin, you will have to pollinate the plant manually. Male flowers do not sit on a stem, but grow on a long stem, unlike female flowers, and female flowers have a thickening (ovary) under the petals - so they are easy to recognize. In the morning (from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.) you need to pick a male flower, carefully pick off the petals from it, and touch the pistils of the female flowers with an anther.

It happens that the female flowers bloom before the male ones, then you can pollinate the male flowers of another related plant - a zucchini or squash will do. The fruits will ripen perfectly, but the seeds can no longer be used for planting, so if you want to sell or plant seeds, then you need to pollinate only the flowers of the same plant.

How to protect yourself from pests

After planting a pumpkin in open ground, you need to think about protecting it from pests. So that the bear does not gnaw the roots, several granules of a special preparation called Medvedox are placed in each hole during planting.

In damp rainy weather, slugs may appear that are able to destroy the pumpkin. Melon aphids, spider mites, sprout flies and click beetles - the pumpkin has many enemies. To avoid danger, you need to loosen, do not overmoisten the soil, do not leave uprooted weeds, because many are attracted to plant debris. No wonder gardeners often inspect their plants, at the first appearance of pests, you need to spray the plant with an infusion of onion peel, ash, and soapy water.

Germ fly larvae can only damage planted seedlings if they are attracted to the smell of fresh manure. Nutcracker (wireworm) may remain from previous crops of perennial grasses. Good tillage and a well-thought-out crop rotation will allow you to secure plantings.

There are many chemicals that save from pests, it is not difficult to find them, but you need to remember that ripening fruits can absorb harmful substances too. It will not be superfluous to plant onions, dill and marigolds nearby.

top dressing

Pumpkins are planted in fertilized soil, and then they are also fed with liquid organic-mineral fertilizers. If the soil is rich in fertilizers, it is enough to pour liquid diluted bird droppings or mullein with 1 spoon of full mineral fertilizer 2-3 times during the entire growth period.

Planting a pumpkin in depleted soil means dooming yourself to weekly plant fertilization throughout the season. Only at the end of summer, when the fruits are already large, potassium can be applied as a mineral supplement.

In order to grow a pumpkin to the envy of neighbors, the plant must be provided with a growing environment close to the climatic conditions of its historical homeland. In the article you will receive comprehensive information about the time, place and planting of a healthy vegetable.

Grow a Pumpkin in 7 Steps

Step one: choose a place with suitable lighting

More than anything, a pumpkin loves the sun.

Before moving on to the direct planting of a pumpkin, think about which area in your garden will suit it the most. A well-chosen place for growing this vegetable is nothing less than a guarantee of its rapid growth and fertility. Abundant lighting is one of the main conditions for promising pumpkin cultivation: it enjoys bathing in direct sunlight. The tough, sweeping leaves of the vegetable are covered with a dense carpet of hairs that make the plant resistant to sunburn.

The lack of natural light prevents the timely development of the pumpkin, the formation of a sufficient number of flowers, as well as its full pollination by insects. At the same time, the flowers turn pale and lose their aroma, and the shoots grow pale green and thin. Without the green pigment chlorophyll, with the participation of which photosynthesis occurs in the cells of the plant, the vegetable will grow faded and weak. To prevent this from happening, choose a well-lit southern slope for a sunny vegetable.

Step two: control the temperature

Only warm, dry soil is suitable for pumpkin.

Pumpkin is a typical representative of the southern vegetable crops, which like the real heat. But pumpkin categorically does not tolerate low temperatures. Keep this in mind when you start planting a vegetable. Make sure the soil has dried out well from the spring moisture and warmed up enough to become a comfortable environment for growing the crop. By planting pumpkin seeds in the ground, where the temperature does not reach even 14 degrees, you run the risk of not waiting for seedlings. And in excessively moist soil, the plant will simply rot and die even faster.

The timing of sowing seeds and planting seedlings on a personal plot depends on the arrival of sustainable heat in a particular region. Pumpkin “arrangement” begins to be engaged when the threat of frost disappears. In places where the weather does not indulge the earth with steady and prolonged heat, it is more reliable to grow a pumpkin through seedlings. It can be planted under the protection of a temporary shelter in pre-heated ground in early May. Pumpkin seeds are sown in warm soil under a temporary shelter, which is constructed from a plastic film or non-woven dense coating.

Step Three: Prepare the Ground for the Pumpkin

The bright orange beauty grows well in light nutrient soil with neutral acidity.

Before we figure out how to plant a pumpkin, let's figure out what essential characteristics the soil must have in order for the plant to feel good. We list the indicators of the substrate most suitable for growing pumpkins:

• high nutritional value, with a sufficient mass fraction of organic and mineral substances;
• pH in the region of 6.5 -7.0, which indicates a weak or neutral acidity;
• good flowability;
• free access of oxygen, which will not allow water to stagnate in the soil and spoil the roots of the plant.

If your soil does not meet any of the criteria listed above, the situation can always be corrected. Increased soil acidity is eliminated with lime or chalk, and too heavy or clayey soil is enriched with compost and humus. Of course, it is better to prepare the soil for planting pumpkins in the autumn months, but in the case of pumpkins, time is never irretrievably lost, so you can add compost or humus from the leaves to the ground in the spring. This will give the soil the missing lightness and make it more accessible to moisture and oxygen. If you are unsure if your soil has enough nutrients, you can add fertilizer directly to the holes at the time of planting the pumpkin.

Step Four: Planting Pumpkins Through Seeds and Seedlings

For growing pumpkins, you can use seeds and monthly seedlings.

Those who deal with a pumpkin for the first time will definitely think about when to plant a pumpkin for seedlings. The most suitable period for this activity is the first half of May. As we have already noted, the plant prefers warm soil (from + 16 to + 18 degrees), and is completely devoid of immunity to frost.

Before sowing, pumpkin seeds are heated for 2-3 hours at a temperature of at least 60 degrees, then germinated by placing them in several layers of a damp cloth or sawdust for 3 days. A suitable place for this would be greenhouses or a window sill in the room.

As soon as part of the seeds germinate, and the second part hatches, they are sown in small clay containers no more than 16 cm in diameter. Soil mixture is poured into 2/3 of the container, the components of which are soddy land, peat and humus in a ratio of 1: 1: 2.

When sowing seeds in prepared soil, sprinkle them on top with the same earth, only pre-enrich it with a 5% solution of mullein (per bucket) and 10 g of wood ash. Seeds germinate at room temperature, and after germination, the temperature is reduced to 14 degrees.

When watering, make sure that the seedlings receive a moderate amount of water - at this stage, excessive moisture can ruin vulnerable seedlings in no time. For the entire time of growing seedlings, it needs to be fed 2 times with mineral and organic fertilizers. To do this, add to 1 bucket of water:

• double superphosphate - 20 g;
• ammonium nitrate - 15 g;
• slurry - 1 l;
• potassium sulfate - 15 g or garden mixture - 50 g.

Up to 0.5 l of a useful solution is consumed per plant. When 3 fully formed leaves appear on each bush, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground.

In cool areas where heat does not come immediately and completely, sending frosts or zero temperatures forward in May, seedlings of the sunny beauty are planted at the end of May or June. At the same time, the soil must be preheated, and tender shoots are hidden under temporary shelter.

In order to keep the roots of seedlings intact and guaranteed to protect them from damage after sowing, disposable peat or paper pots are stocked for their germination. This is very convenient, since the fragile bush does not need to be taken out of the container, but planted in the ground along with the pot. Over time, the walls of the peat pot will decompose and let the growing root system into the soil.

With the same success, you can germinate a pumpkin using plastic cups or containers, and many experienced vegetable growers, by the way, prefer just such containers for growing seedlings. They argue that a plant transplanted from such cups quickly grows, because its roots do not have a barrier in the form of peat pot walls, which often turn out to be a serious obstacle to young roots.

Pumpkin seeds for planting are first soaked in warm water or kept for some time in a warm place at temperatures up to 60 degrees. Swollen seeds germinate better.

Regardless of the method of growing pumpkins - seeds or seedlings - they dig holes up to 8 - 10 cm deep. The distance between the holes depends on the plant variety: not less than 125 cm for highly climbing crops, 85 cm for highly climbing varieties and 55 cm for bush pumpkins.

Planting pumpkin seeds assumes that there will be 2 to 5 seeds in each hole. Fertilize the soil in the holes with mineral and organic substances in advance, then pour 1.5 - 2 liters of warm (up to 30 - 40 degrees) water and wait for it to soak into the soil. When several sprouts appear in the hole, leave one - the strongest. If frost is suspected, seedlings are hidden under a structure made of agrofabric or plastic film.

Step Five: Watering Your Pumpkin Properly

Pumpkin is only suitable for moderate watering.

Despite the huge leaves through which there is a strong evaporation of moisture, the pumpkin does not claim to be a moisture-loving plant. The plant “hides” strategic water reserves in its fleshy stems and cuttings, so it is not afraid of long periods of drought. Excessive watering only harms the pumpkin - from the abundance of water, its vegetative parts are attacked by fungal microorganisms and quickly rot.

During the drought period, watering for the vegetable is arranged with warm water in the evening. Moderate watering has a direct impact on the growth and maturation of the pumpkin: the less water the plant receives, the less watery the pumpkin will be and the greater the concentration of nutrients will be contained in its pulp. Abundant watering will cause a short shelf life of a ripe vegetable in the future. A miserly amount of water will only slightly slow down the growth of the pumpkin, while excessive moisture will cause the putrefactive process of the roots and stems, and the diseased bush almost always dies.

Step Six: Don't Forget to Feed

We plant a pumpkin in open ground only after abundant feeding.

Do not be afraid to “overfeed” the pumpkin with organics - she is always happy with her. Therefore, it is impossible to deny the plant this pleasure either before planting or during its intensive growth.
The following substances will be excellent organic fertilizers for pumpkin:

• decayed manure;
• compost mass;
• humus;
• chicken manure;
• humus.

Complex top dressing, consisting of nitrogen, potassium and phosphates, can fill the plant's need for minerals. If such a mixture is not at hand, it can be safely replaced with individual components: potassium salt, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate. And the simplest and most affordable fertilizer for pumpkins is considered ordinary ash.
There is another way to feed the pumpkin: plant green manure plants in early spring where pumpkin seeds will be sown or seedlings will be planted later. They will be fertilizer for the vegetable. Until the end of May - mid-June, green manure grows and becomes an excellent basis for growing pumpkins. During the period of vegetative maturation, the plant is fed with solutions of organic fertilizers (3-4 times per season).

You will get a rich harvest if you successfully select plants - predecessors for pumpkins. You should not plant a pumpkin on land in which there were cultures of the Pumpkin family before. This applies to melons, watermelons, zucchini, cucumbers and squash. The pumpkin will not take root even where representatives of the Solanaceae family grew shortly before: sunflower, corn, potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes. Root and cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, radish and lettuce), as well as onions and garlic, will contribute to the future harvest of pumpkins. The most wonderful pumpkin is obtained after representatives of legumes: boldly plant its seedlings in place of peas, ranks, beans, beans and alfalfa. With the same success, the plant is grown on a heap of old compost.

Step seven: surround the pumpkin with care

When caring for a vegetable, do not forget to pinch it periodically.

After the first few fruits have set, pinch off the main stem and other shoots on the maturing plant. However, remember that this must be done before the first days of August, then the young fruits will ripen before the onset of cold weather.
To form strong lateral roots, cover the base of the pumpkin with damp earth. During rain, the plant especially needs your help - put planks under the fruits that will protect the vegetable from rotting due to abundant moisture.

Hardened pumpkin bark is a signal that it's time to harvest. To check, you can try the vegetable for strength: press the peel with your fingernail. If the mark does not remain, the time has come. The fruits are harvested before the first frost, then the pumpkin will be stored longer. Some plant varieties lie well until May at low positive temperatures (about + 4 - + 8 degrees Celsius).

As you can see, the rules that will help you provide yourself with a bountiful harvest of healthy pumpkin are not at all complicated. With a little effort, you'll have a variety of diet meals made with this beautiful, juicy vegetable on your table for most of the year.

How to grow a big tasty pumpkin. Video

Pumpkin is a traditional food product on our table, very healthy, rich in vitamins. And it is also an unpretentious plant that can be successfully grown in our climate. However, it is important to know the rules and nuances of working with this plant. Consider how to plant pumpkin seeds in open ground.

Selection and preparation of seeds

Before talking about how to plant seeds in open ground, you need to consider how to choose the right seeds. Since all success depends on the right choice and their preliminary processing.

There are several ways: you can buy seeds at any gardening store, or you can collect seeds from pumpkins that you grow in your garden. Of course, the pumpkin must be fully ripe. Collecting seeds is not difficult at all - for this you need to remove the seeds from the fruit, rinse them, dry them and put them in storage. It is recommended to store them in a bag made of natural fabric. This will be the seed.

It is noteworthy that the seeds are more viable the longer they are stored. Seeds that are stored for a year or two are considered optimal for planting. In general, they can be stored for four years, and all this time they will retain their germination.

Next, the seeds must be sorted out - and this stage should not be skipped, since large, full-fledged seeds will give you a healthy, strong plant. If the planting material is small, damaged, then it should not be used.

There is a simple and reliable way to determine suitable seeds - for this it is enough to soak them in salted water. Seeds that are not suitable for planting will remain on the surface of the water and should be discarded.

The next stage of seed preparation is germination and hardening. Soaked seeds must be germinated or wait until the sprouts begin to hatch. Then they are tempered. Why do they do it? This seed treatment significantly shortens the growth period, and you will be able to get your seedlings faster. Thus, you will significantly increase the chance of growing your own even if the summer ends early.

In addition, hardening has a positive effect on seeds in that it strengthens the immunity of plants, makes them stronger, stronger, and allows them to endure changing weather conditions.

How to properly ignite the seeds so that it is easier for the sprout to break through the skin of the seed? To do this, pumpkin seeds must be heated at a temperature of 50-60 degrees for 8-9 hours. The most convenient way to do this is in the oven. Please note that the seeds must be evenly heated, so they must be turned over.

After that, they must be held in a solution of ash. The solution is easy - 2 tablespoons of ordinary wood ash are infused in a liter of boiling water. The calcined seeds are kept in this solution for 12 hours.

Before planting pumpkin seeds in open ground, it is necessary to do one more process with germinated seeds - place in the refrigerator for 24 hours. And only after that you can proceed to planting.

Soil preparation

Experienced gardeners know that pumpkins need a good place to grow. It is advisable to choose a sunny place. Pumpkin loves fertile and loose soil, because its roots need air. As for acidity, the soil should not be acidic. The ideal option is loam and sandy loam. Remember that the soil must be fertile.

There is another important nuance that must be taken into account - a pumpkin (no matter which variety) is planted in the same place only after 5 years. It’s good if perennial grasses, cabbage or legumes grew in this place before - such soil is very good for pumpkins.

Start preparatory work for planting pumpkins in the fall. The site should be well prepared, namely, remove weeds, add compost and humus. Also, the area should be dug up. If you decide to plant seeds in acidic soil, then it is better to add lime to it (you can also use dolomite flour). Remember that the soil should be enriched. If you could not do it on time, then fertilizers can be applied before planting.

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When to plant seeds

Now consider how to plant pumpkin seeds in open ground. As with most other crops, the timing depends on the weather conditions of the region. If this is a southern region, then usually landing can be started already in the first days of May; northern - in the last days of May. If the weather in your region does not allow planting before summer, then it is recommended to grow pumpkins not from seeds, but through seedlings.

Before planting pumpkin seeds in open ground, make sure that the ground is heated to a depth of at least 10 cm. If not (its temperature is less than +12 degrees), then the seeds will germinate extremely slowly. Moreover, they can rot.

And the fruits ripen 3.5-4 months after the appearance of the first sprouts. If the seeds are pre-prepared, then they germinate up to a week; if not prepared, from ten days to two weeks. Consider all this to determine the timing of landing.

How to plant pumpkin seeds

First, holes are dug in the future pumpkin garden, hot water is poured into each of them (about a liter and a half). When the water is completely absorbed, seeds can be planted - each with 3-5 seeds. Then the holes must be sprinkled with earth. It remains to wait for the plants to sprout.

Only two plants need to be left - choose those that are in the best condition. A good pumpkin will grow from such plants. Plants must be regularly loosened and watered, fertilized with organic, for example, chicken manure or mineral (ammonium nitrate) top dressing.