Autumn is slowly coming to an end, and with it the period when pumpkins dominate the stores. So, before we say goodbye to this delicacy, it is worth doing something with it that will allow us to start growing our own pumpkin in the garden. This is a simple and proven method, thanks to which we will enjoy a self-grown, orange, tasty plant next season.
Pumpkin season lasts from August to the end of November. Once you eat them, it’s worth it keep the seeds from one large and ripe pumpkin, preferably from a variety that will have a chance to develop well in our climate.
After removing them, they should be thoroughly cleaned of the pulp to prevent mold from appearing on the seeds. Then dry them on a paper towel or on a plate, arranging them so that they do not touch each other. We can also dry them in the oven by placing the seeds in a device set to convection at 60-70 degrees Celsius for about an hour.
However, remember to turn them from time to time and leave the oven door slightly ajar so that excess moisture can escape.. Store the finished seeds in a paper bag until spring. placed in a dry place.
We will sow pumpkin only after winter. The day before this procedure, it is worth soaking in warm water for about 12-24 hours. This will speed up the germination of the plant.
In case When we decide to plant seedlings, we can sow them in Aprilusing peat pots or biodegradable containers. Place two seeds in each of them, inserting them to a depth of about 2 cm. When the seedlings are 10-15 cm high, they can be transplanted into the ground.
In turn, the ideal time to sow pumpkins in the ground is the second half of May, when the earth temperature already exceeds 15 degrees Celsius. In lower temperatures, the pumpkin seeds might not sprout or rot.
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Before the planned cultivation, it will be a good idea to dig up the soil in autumn and enrich it with compost or manure. This will make the substrate richer in nutrients and fluffier. This is an important step because the pumpkin grows slower in light and sandy soil. It is also worth ensuring good soil pHin this case it would be best to be close to neutral, and within the range of 6.0-7.0.
Due to the fact that pumpkin is a plant that grows quickly and produces long, creeping shoots, it must be provided with an appropriate surface. It is estimated that for one plant it is approximately 1 square meter of surface areai. The position we choose is also important – it should be sunny and warm.
Seeds should be placed in the holes one at a time or two at most, sowing them at a distance of 1.5 meters from each other and placing them at a depth of about 3 cm. Then we cover them with soil, knead them and water them gently. However, pumpkin seedlings prepared earlier in it is worth planting into the ground with the entire root ball, placing them a little deeper than they grew in the container so that they take root well and acclimatize faster. Also in their case, you should keep an appropriate distance.
