Thanks to cultivation with a head start in the bed
The cold sensitivity of pumpkin significantly limits the window for the planting time in the garden. Direct sowing comes into question after the Ice Saints at the earliest. Experienced pumpkin gardeners therefore choose to grow them indoors so that young plants start with a reassuring growth advantage.
- Start in mid-April with fresh seeds from specialist shops
- Let the seeds soak in lukewarm water for 24 hours
- Insert individually in 6 cm growing pots (€ 14.90 at Amazon *) with seed compost about 1 cm deep
- Moisten with a fine shower and cover with foil or glass
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At a constant 25 degrees Celsius, the germination period is 1 week on average. Then place the seed at 18 degrees Celsius a little cooler and lighter. A cover can now be removed so that the seedlings can develop freely.
Prick and harden - only the strongest get through
If the framework conditions are right, the small pumpkin plants present several pairs of leaves above the cotyledons after 3 to 4 weeks. From this size, the young plants are equipped for outdoor use in the bed or on the balcony.
Hobby gardeners now take a look at the calendar. The cold Sophia should have said goodbye as the last ice saint so that the outdoor season for pumpkin plants can begin. If there are several seedlings in a pot, the weaker specimens are sorted out.
After the pricking out, the pumpkin plants come to a sheltered place in the garden for 1 week. Here they spend a period of hardening under outdoor conditions before they are planted in the bed or in the tub.
Plant pumpkin with ease
Put the pumpkin plants in humus rich, nutrient-rich soil in the sunny to partially shaded location. How to do it:
- enrich loosened bedding soil with compost and horn shavings
- Dig planting holes at a distance of at least 100 cm
- Place each pumpkin plant and the potting soil in the pit and water it well
- Install a climbing aid for climbing species and varieties
The exact planting distance depends on the preferred variety. Large pumpkin plants may require up to 5 square meters of space to thrive.
Do not let pumpkins thirst or starve
The cucurbits are among the most powerful eaters of the garden and are as hungry as they are thirsty. The central components of care are therefore an adequate supply of water and nutrients. Water and fertilize the plants in the bed and tubs regularly.
Tips & Tricks
So that the pumpkin seedlings in the pot make even more effort to develop their own root system, smart hobby gardeners use the following trick. At the bottom of the nursery pot, they spread a thin layer of nutritious compost. The young plants will do everything possible to get there with their delicate roots.
