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Pumpkin is a very common horticultural crop, cultivated not only in the southern regions, but also in the middle lane. She is loved not only for the good taste of the fruit, but also for her unpretentiousness and productivity. Self-care and growing pumpkins in the open field are not difficult, therefore, if there is free space in the garden, it can be taken specifically for this plant.
Features of growing pumpkins in different regions
Pumpkin grows well in many regions, it is grown not only in the south, but also in Central Our Country, in the North-West region, in Siberia and the Urals. Growing this crop in different climatic regions has its own characteristics. They are connected not only with the selection of zoned varieties, but also with the formation of bushes and the regulation of the future harvest.
Moscow
Growing pumpkins in open ground in the Moscow region has its own characteristics. Cool summers, combined with high rainfall, typical for this area, do not contribute to high yields. Therefore, in this region, it is advisable to choose early and mid-early table varieties for planting, zoned for the middle lane.
For planting, you can recommend, for example, such hard-core varieties:
- Mozolevskaya.
- Gribovskaya bush.
- Spaghetti.
- Gymnosperm.
Of the large-fruited pumpkins, the following have proven themselves well in the Moscow region:
- Therapeutic.
- Chit.
- Volga gray.
- Golden bowl.
- Big Moon.
You can grow in the Moscow region and nutmeg pumpkin. These varieties include:
- Muscat.
- T-7.
- Candied.
To make the most of summer heat, pumpkins are grown outdoors in seedlings. The formation of the bush also has its own characteristics. In order for full-weight fruits to form on the plant, the lashes are pinched, limiting their growth, and the number of fruit ovaries on each bush is also normalized. Usually a pumpkin in the Moscow region is formed into 1 main and 1 side stem. At the same time, 2 fruits are left on the main vine, and 1 on the side. The bush simply does not have time to feed more. To improve the taste of the fruit, the bushes stop watering a week before harvesting, otherwise the pumpkin will turn out to be watery in taste and will not be stored well.
In the Urals
Growing pumpkins in the Urals in the open field is carried out by seedlings. The climate of this region is characterized by short and cool summers. Here, it is especially necessary to carefully approach the choice of variety and compliance with agricultural technology. Preference should be given to species with an early ripening period, such as:
- Candy.
- Country.
- Bush gold.
It is the bush pumpkin varieties that are preferable to grow in the Urals in open ground, since long climbing stems are more susceptible to adverse weather conditions. On a bush, one main shoot and one side shoot are usually formed, leaving 1-2 fruit ovaries on each.
In Siberia
Growing pumpkins in Siberia in open ground is possible due to the breeding of early ripening varieties, such as:
- Freckle.
- Smile
- Adazio.
- woman.
- Pearl.
All these varieties are early and have a ripening period of about 90-110 days. In the conditions of a short hot Siberian summer, they have time to fully mature. The dry climate of this region with little rainfall has a beneficial effect on the growth of this crop, since it does not like excessive moisture.
Melons are usually formed in Siberia in one stem, leaving 1-2 fruit ovaries on it for accelerated ripening. Bush forms are pinched, removing excess shoots and normalizing the future harvest.
In the Leningrad region
The north-west of Our Country, which includes the Leningrad region, is characterized by an unstable climate. Late spring here gives way to rainy cool summers and long cold autumns. The air temperature is highly dependent on the wind rose and can vary significantly during the day. Despite the unfavorable climate, pumpkin cultivation in the Leningrad Region is possible even in open ground.
For planting in this region, it is recommended to use early-ripening varieties with increased resistance to adverse climates. These include:
- Almond 35.
- Acorn.
- Bush orange.
When growing pumpkins in open ground in the Leningrad region, the seedling method is used, and the choice of planting site and proper agricultural technology will also play an important role.
How to grow pumpkin outdoors
Growing pumpkins in the open field and caring for them are not difficult, but they require certain rules to be followed. Pumpkin loves warmth and sun, as well as fertile soil. In the southern regions of the country, all conditions for the normal growth of this crop are available. Planting is done by seeds. Further care for the pumpkin is carried out in minimal volumes. However, in regions with an unfavorable climate, this approach will lead to the fact that the crop will be small or not ripen at all. Therefore, in the more northern regions, the seedling method of growing is used, while reducing the time the plant is in the open field.
seedling way
The average period of pumpkin vegetation from the moment of germination to harvest is 120-140 days. In many regions of the country, the warm season lasts for a much shorter period of time, so it is simply impossible to carry out a full cycle of cultivation in open ground from the moment of planting to harvest. Pumpkin seeds are first germinated at home, and after the onset of suitable weather, they are transplanted into open ground.
For growing seedlings, individual peat cups are best suited. Their use allows you to avoid picking – the procedure for seating young plants, which is very stressful for them. Due to the use of individual peat cups, the pumpkin ripening period is reduced by 3-5 days, which is also important when growing it in open ground.
Preparing pumpkin seeds before planting usually consists of 3 steps:
- Warming up The seeds selected for planting are immersed in hot (+ 1,5 ° C) water for 2-45 hours.
- Germination. Seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth or gauze and kept until hatching. Usually it takes 3-3 days.
- Hardening. Sprouted seeds are placed in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. This increases resistance to cold and temperature fluctuations.
After all the procedures carried out, the seeds are planted in peat pots filled with nutrient soil to a depth of 3-6 cm. The soil can be purchased at a specialized store or prepared independently by mixing peat, humus and river sand in equal proportions. Planting pumpkin seeds for seedlings is carried out approximately 3 weeks before the planned transplantation of plants in open ground. After planting the seeds, the pots are covered with a transparent film, which is periodically removed for ventilation. After germination, seedlings are best kept on the windowsill on the south side of the house. Periodically, the earth must be moistened. After 2-3 full-fledged (not cotyledonous) leaves appear on the plants, the seedlings are transplanted into open ground.
In a barrel
Amateur gardeners have come up with many ways to grow pumpkins, in addition to traditional ones. First of all, it concerns the use of various designs and materials that appear in everyday life. One such way is growing pumpkins in a barrel. This method is relevant for owners of small garden plots, as it can significantly save space for other plantings. For such an impromptu garden bed, a metal barrel that has served its time is suitable, ideally without a bottom.
The old container must be installed in a well-lit place, since the pumpkin will not grow in the shade. After that, they equip a kind of warm bed. The barrel is filled in layers first with large organic matter (branches, large roots), then with tops, leaves, grass. On top, it is best to pour a layer of compost mixed with soddy soil. The contents of the barrel must be well compacted. The bottom and walls must be perforated to provide the roots with air exchange and removal of excess moisture. A month before the planned planting, such a bed should be shed with warm water, and then with a solution of any preparation containing effective microorganisms (EM preparations). Bacteria will begin to intensively decompose organic matter, enriching the soil with nutrients.
At the end of May or the beginning of June, 1 or 2 cups with seedlings are planted in a barrel. If by this time the contents of the container have settled heavily, it is necessary to fill it to the top with earth mixed with humus. Planted pots with seedlings are watered, you can also cover the plants with cut-off containers made of transparent plastic if night temperatures drop to low values. As the stems of the pumpkin grow, they begin to droop down. After tying 2-3 fruits, pinch the stems. So that ripening pumpkins do not come off under their own weight, they are tied up with nets or props are installed. After harvesting, the used soil can be scattered around the site or brought along with digging into the beds.
The bags
Growing pumpkins in bags is carried out according to the same technology as in barrels. In this case, the container for the nutrient soil is a metal container that has not served its time, but black plastic garbage bags with a capacity of 100 liters. They are strong enough to support the weight of the earth along with the plant, but they must be filled with components on site. Moving bags of soil around the site without damaging it will be quite difficult.
The undoubted advantage of growing pumpkins, both in barrels and in bags, is to save space on the site due to the vertical growth of the stems. In addition, such landings do not need weeding. A container with earth serves as a kind of thermal accumulator, which heats up during the day and slowly gives off heat to the plant at night. This is very important when growing this crop in the northern regions.
Informative video about growing pumpkins and other vegetables in bags:
On insulated beds
Insulated beds are arranged in open ground relatively infrequently. Usually they are preferred to be made in greenhouses for growing cucumbers or tomatoes. However, this does not mean that such a bed cannot be made for a pumpkin. This design is a kind of multilayer cake. Large wood waste is laid out at the very bottom: chopped branches, roots. A layer of smaller waste, sawdust, wood shavings is poured above. Next comes a layer of material that can quickly turn into compost: tops, weeds, dry grass. Finally, a layer of nutrient soil is poured from above from a mixture of soddy soil with humus.
The thickness of such a puff cake can be 0,6-0,8 m, so these beds are usually made deep. A layer of wood waste serves as good thermal insulation, therefore such beds are also called “warm”.
Under the film
Often, the beds on which pumpkins or other heat-loving crops are grown are covered with a black film. This solves several problems at once:
- Stops the growth of weeds, eliminates the need for weeding.
- The beds heat up quickly and keep warm for a long time.
- Excessive moisture does not get into the soil.
For planting seedlings on the film, small cuts are made in the right places.
Is it possible to grow a pumpkin on a balcony
Growing pumpkins on the balcony can be carried out both for decorative purposes and for harvesting. Any small-fruited varieties are suitable for this, such as:
- orange.
- Baby Boo.
- Sweet Dumpling.
Such pumpkins grow well not only in open ground, but also in containers that can be fixed on the balcony railing. Planting can be carried out both by seeds and seedlings. Care procedures are not much different from the usual ones, plantings need to be watered, periodically loosen the soil. Weaving varieties can be used to create a green hedge, for this you can stretch vertical ropes along which the gourd stem will grow.
How to grow a pumpkin on a compost heap
A compost pile is an analogue of an insulated garden bed, so it is quite possible to grow a pumpkin on it. To do this, it is enough to pour 15-20 cm of good fertile soil into the container with the compostable mass on top, into which the planting will be carried out. You can plant both bush and climbing varieties, if the location of the compost heap allows. There are no differences in the agricultural technique of growing pumpkins in this way, all the main activities (watering, pinching shoots, weeding) are carried out for such plantings in full.
How to grow a pumpkin in the country on a trellis
To save space in your backyard, you can use the method of growing pumpkins on a trellis. Branched stems have tendrils, which perfectly hold the wire stretched at a height of 1-2 m. This method is good because the fruits ripen by weight and are perfectly even. In addition, pumpkins do not have contact with the ground, so the risk of pest damage in this case is minimal.
When growing a pumpkin on a trellis, the plant is formed into 2 shoots (1 main and 1 side), letting them go in different directions. The number of fruit ovaries is normalized, usually 2 pumpkins are left on the main stem, 1 on the side. The trellis must be strong enough to withstand the weight of the fruit. So that the pumpkins do not come off under their own weight, they are placed in cloth bags or nets, which are tied to the upper support.
How to grow pumpkins in trenches
The trench method of growing pumpkins was proposed by Galina Kizima, a gardener from the Leningrad region, who devoted many years to growing various crops in her summer cottage. In her book The Garden without the Hassle, this method is described in great detail. The technology for growing pumpkins in open ground according to the method of G. Kizima is as follows:
- In autumn, in the places of future planting of pumpkins, they dig trenches with a depth of 2 bayonets of a shovel.
- Compost, rotted manure, plant residues are laid in the trenches.
- In the spring, after the snow melts, the trenches are covered with a layer of fertile soil.
- The trench is covered with black tape.
- After about 10 days, when the soil warms up to 15-16 ° C, seeds are planted.
- When shoots appear, the film above them must be carefully cut.
The film is not removed from the ground all summer. Such a bed does not require watering and fertilizing; a small amount of water can be applied only in the hottest time and during a period of intensive growth. This method allows you to grow a good pumpkin crop even in the northern regions.
Is it possible to grow pumpkin in a greenhouse
Some gardeners use the original way of growing pumpkins in a cucumber greenhouse without taking up space in it. To do this, 2 pumpkin bushes are planted close to the wall on the south side of the greenhouse. After the stem reaches the required length, it is taken out of the greenhouse, and then it begins to grow in the exhaust gas. The roots remain in the greenhouse.
This method is good because it allows you to plant seedlings or seeds much earlier than usual. The root zone is cared for in the greenhouse, along with other crops. Form a plant in 1, 2 or 3 stems, depending on the growing conditions.
How to grow a huge pumpkin
The officially recorded record weight of 1 pumpkin is 1190 kg. In 2016, Matthias Willemains from Belgium managed to grow such a giant fruit. Instances weighing several hundred kilograms are far from uncommon, in many countries they even hold championships for growing pumpkins of record weight.
To grow a large pumpkin in the country, you need not only a good climate and fertile soil. It is important to choose a fast-growing large-fruited variety. Plantings require a lot of open space and sun. The plant should be well cared for, including regular fertilizing with easily digestible fertilizers. To get a large fruit, the plant must be formed into 1 stem and only 1 pumpkin should be left on it. After that, all excess shoots are removed, and the growth point is pinched.
How to care for pumpkins outdoors
Outdoor pumpkin care is easy. Several times a season, the plant is fed with an aqueous solution of slurry or bird droppings. You can also use complex mineral fertilizers dissolved in water. The frequency and abundance of watering depends on the region and the method of cultivation. Some methods even provide for the possibility of refusing this procedure. A few weeks before harvest, all watering is completely stopped, otherwise the shelf life of such a pumpkin will be short.
Depending on the climatic conditions and the area where the pumpkin is grown, it is formed in 1, 2 or 3 stems, leaving from 1 to 4 fruit ovaries per 1 bush. This allows you to normalize the crop, make it more large-fruited.
Conclusion
Care and cultivation of pumpkins in the open field is within the power of any, even the most inexperienced gardener. The activities are not difficult, and some methods, after certain preparatory measures, do not require any human intervention at all. At the same time, you can grow a good crop even in areas with an unfavorable climate, far from ideal for growing pumpkins.