Favorable days for sowing pumpkin seeds in the Moscow region in 2020

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a heat-loving crop, but almost all its varieties grow well in central Russia. When planting seeds for seedlings or in open ground, consider not only weather conditions but also the lunar calendar.

Features of the region's climate

The Moscow region enjoys a moderate continental climate. Seasonality is clearly defined: warm summers and cold winters. Hot summers and ample sunshine allow gardeners to grow even heat-loving crops with long growing seasons.

During the summer months, the Moscow region receives an average of 75 ml of precipitation. The lack of natural moisture can be compensated for by irrigation. Warm weather sets in as early as mid-May. For this reason, gardeners begin sowing in the first ten days of May, and heat-loving crops are planted outdoors in late spring. If plants have a long growing season, it makes sense to grow them from seedlings.

How do the phases of the moon influence

When planning the time to plant seeds in the ground or in seedling pots, consider the phases of the lunar calendar. The moon has a powerful influence on plants. During its waxing phase, sap flow in stems and leaves increases, accelerating growth. Seeds germinate well during this period. Astrologers recommend planting during these stages.

Varieties for the Moscow region

Pumpkins grow very well in the Moscow region. Some ultra-early hybrids mature in just 70 days. In this case, a harvest can be obtained even if planted in July, but it's best to plan planting no later than late June. Almost all varieties can be grown in central Russia. However, some heat-loving varieties risk losing a harvest. Muscat pumpkin varieties have a long growing season, so it's best to sow seeds for seedlings in early April and plant them in the garden bed in early May and cover them with covering material. Early-ripening varieties can be planted from late May to late June.

All pumpkin varieties are divided into three groups: hard-shelled, large-fruited, and nutmeg. Nutmeg varieties are considered the sweetest, but they require more care. Many have a small seed chamber, which is highly prized by gardeners. The most popular hard-shelled varieties suitable for growing in the Moscow region include the following:

Bush orange (fruits are oval, slightly flattened, bright orange, very compact, suitable for growing in small areas);
Dacha (mid-season table pumpkin with yellow flesh);
Gribovskaya bush (early ripening table variety with a ripening period of no more than 95 days, oval fruits, yellow with green veins);
Gymnospermous (medium-sized fruits with uncoated seeds).

https://youtu.be/9beLpDGDrq4

Large-fruited pumpkins are typically distinguished by their large fruit size. Some of these pumpkins are truly giants. But they also share other similar characteristics. The most popular large-fruited varieties include:

Big Max (fruits grow up to 20 kg, pulp is fibrous, loose);
Rossiyanka (bright orange pumpkin with sweet flesh that has a melon flavor);
Konfetka (an early pumpkin variety, the fruits are small, bright orange and very sweet);
Titan (fruits grow up to 50 kg, flesh is yellow, loose).

Muscat varieties typically have a long ripening period. The only exceptions are modern hybrids. Among all the varieties, the following are particularly popular:

Chudo-Yudo (mid-season variety, oval fruits, sweet, bright orange flesh);
Pearl (fruits are oval-shaped, guitar-shaped, the flesh is orange, very tasty, the seed chamber is small);
Butternut or Walnut Butter (small guitar-shaped fruits, early maturing pumpkin, therefore ideal for growing in central Russia);
Muscat of Provence (fruits with clearly defined segments, light yellow skin, this is a late-ripening variety, so it can only be grown from seedlings).

Planting pumpkins according to the lunar calendar

Planting timing is crucial. By the time they're planted outdoors, the seedlings should have 1-2 true leaves. Keeping them in pots any longer is pointless. The plants begin to stretch, which negatively impacts subsequent growth. Such seedlings have a harder time taking root and experience slower growth. Pumpkin seedlings should be planted in the Moscow region in 2020 in April or early May; if the last month of spring is very cold, the forecast is unfavorable.

Note!

If for some reason you need to plant pumpkin urgently, but the favorable season isn't for another couple of weeks, you can plant the seeds during the waning moon, but they must be germinated. In this case, it's best to sow the pumpkin seeds at a shallower depth.

Table of favorable days according to the lunar cycle

It's best to plant pumpkin seedlings in April. This can be done as early as late March, but then the seedlings will have to be transplanted in late April, which is only possible with a portable greenhouse. Open ground planting can be done later. There are plenty of planting days in May, so gardeners can easily choose the most suitable one. In June and early July, seeds are planted only outdoors.

When planning planting dates, consider the long-term forecast. Sometimes this can help you make the right decision. When choosing a planting period in 2020, use the following table as a guide:

Month	Favorable days
March	25-31
April	1-7, 24-30
May	1-6, 23-31
June	1-4, 22-30

Forbidden days

Planting pumpkin seedlings for open ground or directly into garden beds is not recommended during the waning moon. However, this requirement is not always met. If the chosen pumpkin variety has a long growing season and the deadlines are missed, it is better to plant the seeds during the waning moon than to wait until the harvest is missed by delaying the start. The strict ban on gardening only applies during the new and full moons. In 2020, it is recommended to refer to the following table:

Month	Unwanted days	Extremely unfavorable days (full moon, new moon)
March	10-23	9, 24
April	9-22	8, 23
May	8-21	7, 22
June	6-20	5, 21

Ignoring the lunar calendar can lead to problems such as slow seed germination and stunted seedling growth. Slow germination can lead to rotting of the planting material. In this case, seedlings will never emerge, and the pumpkin will need to be replanted.

Seed preparation

Experienced gardeners recommend properly preparing pumpkin seeds for planting in seedlings or open ground. First, choose the right planting material. Seeds can be harvested at home or purchased from specialty stores. It's best to select only the largest, thickest seeds for planting. Black coloring or damaged shells are signs of defective seeds. It's best to discard such seeds immediately. You can soak all the seeds in water for 30 minutes. Any that float to the surface are unsuitable for planting.

Note!

You can collect seeds from varietal pumpkins yourself. If you want to grow hybrids, you'll have to purchase seedlings annually.

Some agricultural companies produce pre-treated seeds. This information is provided on the packaging. These seeds are typically dyed. If untreated, soak the seeds for 30 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (the solution should be pale pink). Then, wrap the seeds in a damp cloth and place them on a plate. As they dry, re-wet the cloth. The seeds should sprout within 5-7 days. If they don't, discard them. Germinating the seeds is essential if you're unsure of their quality.

To increase plant resistance to temperature fluctuations, seeds are hardened. Three to four days after placing them on a damp cloth, place the planting material in the refrigerator. They can be removed from the refrigerator after two days.

Seed sowing scheme

Pumpkins don't transplant well. For this reason, seeds are immediately planted in individual pots. Peat pots measuring 6 x 6 cm or larger are ideal. Pumpkins can also be planted in individual cell trays. It's important to be able to transplant the seedlings into the ground later without damaging the root system. The root ball should not be torn away from the roots.

Peculiarities of pumpkin cultivation

To obtain an excellent pumpkin harvest, it's important to follow proper agricultural practices. Experienced gardeners consider growing from seeds to be the most preferable method. Seedling care involves timely watering and loosening the soil. Water the seedlings 1-2 times a week. The water shouldn't be cold. Place the seedling tray or pots in a sunny location. Hardening off the plants is recommended two weeks before planting. To do this, lower the room temperature to 13°C or even lower for 3-4 hours a day. This can be achieved by opening a window or placing the trays on a balcony or in a greenhouse. Hardening off the plants at home improves survival.

Pumpkin seedlings need to be planted correctly; videos on how to do this can be found online. At the time of transplanting, the seedlings should have 1-2 true leaves. Pumpkins grow vigorously, so space the plants 1 meter apart. Place the seeds or seedlings in wells that have been watered beforehand. A little ash can be added to the holes.

Note!

It's not recommended to overfeed pumpkins with nitrogen fertilizers, as nitrates accumulate in them. This can cause health risks.

After planting, the seedlings need to be watered at least 1-2 times a week. After two weeks, you can feed the plants by pouring 1 liter of nutrient solution under each (2 tablespoons of superphosphate and 1 tablespoon of potassium salt per 10 liters of water). Once the pumpkin flowers, you can pollinate them by hand. This will increase the number of ovaries.

Only 1-2 ovaries should be left on each shoot. After these, it's best to pinch off the "growing point" or top of the shoot. This will result in larger and sweeter fruits. Young shoots growing in the axils, once they reach 5-7 cm, should also be removed. All these measures prevent the plants from wasting vital energy and allow gardeners to reap a bountiful harvest.