Growing pumpkins outdoors (from seed to harvest)

Pumpkins are considered an easy-to-grow crop, so if you follow certain guidelines for seed preparation, subsequent feeding, and care, growing pumpkins outdoors can yield a bountiful harvest. Let's take a closer look.

Preparing pumpkin seeds

Before planting, the seeds need to be prepared. To do this, soak them in a sodium humate or potassium humate solution for 24 hours. Then cover them with a damp cloth for several days. Keep the cloth moistened with water. The ideal temperature for seed germination is 22-23 degrees Celsius.

The seeds are also tested for germination using the same method as for germination. This procedure is performed one month before planting.

Preparing the soil for sowing

For the crop, you need to select a site with good lighting and warmth.

It is not recommended to choose sunflowers and potatoes as predecessors. watermelon, melon. Pumpkin cannot be grown in one place for more than a year.

Planting begins at the end of May (lunar calendar for gardeners and vegetable growers (This will help you). During this period, frost is no longer a concern, and the soil is sufficiently warm. If the soil hasn't warmed up yet, the seeds will rot and won't germinate.

Planting pumpkins in open ground

The soil is plowed to a depth of 50 centimeters, and fertilizers are added: manure, compost, phosphorus and potassium.
Next, prepare the bed; it should be wide, about 70 centimeters in size. Dig holes, placing five seeds in each. The distance between the holes is more than half a meter.

Before planting, water should be poured into each hole; after the liquid has been absorbed, the seed can be placed in it and mulched with peat or humus on top.

Some gardeners cover their plants with plastic film to protect them. After the seedlings emerge, the film is cut, a frame is placed, and another layer of insulating material is laid on top.

After several leaves appear, the seedlings need to be thinned out.

Fertilizing and watering

During cultivation, pumpkins require timely and abundant watering, especially during dry and hot weather and during flowering.

Water for irrigation should be at least 20 degrees Celsius. Cool water can have a detrimental effect on crops.

Before watering, the soil must be loosened and all weeds removed.

Pumpkin fertilization is carried out in two steps:

• The first time it's needed is when three leaves appear. Dry nitrophoska works well.
• The second time is done when shoots form. Nitrophoska diluted in water is used.

Fertilizers using a solution of mullein and ash have an effective effect.

Thanks to these fertilizers, plant growth and development is accelerated.

Caring for pumpkins when growing outdoors

Plant care involves proper plant formation. To achieve this, you can use the following methods:
— After a large number of ovaries and lateral shoots have formed, they need to be removed. A few leaves and three ovaries are left.

The top of the plant is pinched back, and the flowers are removed. If this procedure is not carried out, large fruits will not grow.

— One fruit is left on the lateral ovary, and two on the main ovary. Several leaves are left on all vines, and the tops are pinched off.
Sprinkling shoots is a mandatory agricultural technique to accelerate fruit development.

First, they need to be untangled, laid on the ground and sprinkled with soil on top in several places.

Types of pumpkin

There are a huge number of pumpkin varieties in nature. They differ in both appearance and taste.

There are three varieties of pumpkin:

1. Hard-skinned. This variety has a hard skin and ripens early. The fruits are not very large, but the seeds are very tasty. Bush varieties are also found within this variety.


The peduncle is ribbed, the stem is prickly, the seeds are cream-colored.


A striking example of a hard-shelled pumpkin is the Gymnosperm variety of the plant.

2. Large-fruited. A variety of enormous size. Furthermore, its fruits are sweet and sugary.

The peduncle is cylindrical, the stem is round. The seeds are milky in color.

This species tolerates low temperatures best of all and has the ability to be preserved for a long time.
One of the varieties of large-fruited pumpkin is the Stofuntovaya (Hundred Pound). The name speaks for itself.

3. Nutmeg. This variety is considered one of the most delicious. Their drawback is that they are heat-loving and ripen late. They are grown in warmer regions.
The peduncle is widened towards the base, the seeds are brown.

It is advisable to harvest all varieties of pumpkin before frost sets in.

Harvesting begins in August and can last up to two months, depending on the pumpkin variety and climate.
Harvesting is done carefully. The fruit must be cut off along with a small stalk.
Choosing the right storage location is important. It should be cool, and the air humidity shouldn't be too high. Otherwise, the shelf life will be reduced by several months.
We also suggest watching a video that tells you everything you need to know about growing pumpkins in your garden.