Squash
Pumpkin (squash)How to sow pumpkins successfully under cover?
To grow pumpkins under cover, we recommend sowing the seeds in individual cups filled with light, well-drained potting soil. The best time to sow is in early spring, around March-April, so that you can transplant the plants into the ground once the risk of frost has passed. When sowing, make sure the soil is well moistened without becoming soggy, then press a pumpkin seed 2 cm deep into each cup. Place the cups in a bright, warm place, with a temperature between 18 and 25°C, taking care to maintain some humidity by covering the cups with transparent plastic.
How do I sow pumpkins outdoors?
To sow pumpkins outdoors, we recommend waiting until all risk of frost has passed, usually towards the end of spring. Prepare your soil by working it deeply and weeding carefully. Choose a sunny, spacious spot to allow the plant to develop fully.
Create furrows about 1 metre apart and place the pumpkin seeds, spacing them 30 to 50 cm apart. Cover the seeds with fine soil, taking care not to bury them too deeply.
Be sure to water regularly, especially during dry spells, without getting the foliage too wet to avoid disease. Once the plants have reached a few centimetres in height, you can mulch the soil to limit weed growth and keep the soil moist.
Watch out for the appearance of pests such as aphids or slugs and act quickly if necessary. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to harvest beautiful pumpkins for autumn.
How do I plant pumpkins?
To grow pumpkins without using chemical fertilisers, it's important to choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Pumpkins prefer soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. Before planting or transplanting your pumpkin plants, work the soil by loosening and weeding the surface.
Pumpkins can be sown directly in the ground after the last frosts, usually towards the end of spring. It is also possible to start the plants indoors a few weeks beforehand and then transplant them outdoors. Be sure to space the plants about 1 to 2 metres apart to allow them to develop well.
Water your pumpkins regularly, but avoid getting the leaves wet to limit the risk of disease. It's also advisable to mulch the soil around the plants to prevent weeds from growing, maintain moisture and protect the fruit from contact with the soil. Finally, make sure you harvest the pumpkins once they have reached their full size and their skins have hardened off.
When to harvest pumpkins?
Pumpkins are an easy vegetable to grow in a natural garden. To harvest pumpkins, it is important to wait until the skin is hard and the stem has dried before picking. The best time to harvest pumpkins is in autumn, usually between September and November.
To harvest pumpkins, simply cut the stem with secateurs, leaving a small part of the stem attached to the pumpkin. This will help to extend the pumpkin's shelf life.
Pumpkins can be harvested in a variety of ways.
Pumpkins can be stored for up to several months in a cool, dry place away from light. It's best to store them on racks or pallets to allow good air circulation and prevent rotting.
Pumpkin (squash)
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Fruiting vegetables
- Botanical Family : Cucurbits
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Sensitive
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 50 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 2 cm
- Plant Spacing : 120 cm
- Row Spacing : 120 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : High
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing