When is the best time to plant pumpkins?

Pumpkin is sweet and soft, and is a vegetable that many consumers like to eat. In China's vast rural areas, many farmers like to grow pumpkins in their own yards or fields. As a vegetable with strong adaptability and vigorous growth, pumpkin does not have strict requirements on planting time. Let’s learn in detail when is the best time to plant pumpkins.

When is the best time to plant pumpkins?

Pumpkin, as a temperature-sensitive short-day crop, prefers a warm and humid environment. They can withstand higher temperatures and can even grow in temperatures above 35 degrees, but they cannot withstand frost. Frost can cause damage to the cell tissue of pumpkin seedlings, affecting their normal physiological functions and thus hindering the growth of the plants.

The suitable temperature range for pumpkin growth is between 15 and 35 degrees. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, the development of the germ will become slow; if the temperature drops below 10 degrees, it will be difficult for the seeds to germinate normally. On the contrary, higher temperatures are conducive to rapid germination of seeds, but temperatures exceeding 40 degrees will also affect the normal growth of pumpkins. Therefore, when the average daily temperature is stable above 15 degrees, it is the best time to sow pumpkins.

The climatic characteristics of the Grain Rain season just meet the conditions for pumpkin growth. At this time, the average daily temperature is usually around 16 degrees, the air humidity is moderate, and the frost period has passed, which provides an ideal environment for pumpkin sowing and germination. Therefore, the period around Grain Rain has traditionally been considered the best time to grow pumpkins in rural areas.

In some areas, there is a saying that "On the third day of the third lunar month, pumpkins and gourds grow in the fields." This coincides with the Grain Rain season, further confirming that this period is the right time to plant pumpkins. Therefore, whether from the perspective of traditional agricultural proverbs or climatic conditions, the Grain Rain season is the best choice for sowing pumpkins.

Pumpkin Harvest Notes

1. Selection of harvesting time

Tender pumpkin: A variety that mainly consists of tender pumpkins, which can usually be picked and put on the market 10-15 days after the female flowers open.

Mature pumpkins: such as Indian pumpkins, are best harvested about 40-45 days after pollination. At this time, the fruit has swelled and formed, the stalk has begun to become lignified, the internal quality of the fruit has improved, and the taste is better.

Medium and late maturing varieties: such as Chinese pumpkin types, mature fruits should be harvested 60-70 days after flowering.

2. Best time of day to harvest

The best time to harvest pumpkins is in the morning when the morning dew has disappeared and the weather is clear. Avoid harvesting in rainy weather, when the dew has not dried, or in dense fog, because the fruit cells are prone to swell, which can easily cause mechanical damage, and the fruit surface is moist, making it easy for pathogenic microorganisms to infect.

At the same time, harvesting should be avoided at noon or in the afternoon on a sunny day, because the temperature of the fruit is too high at this time, it is difficult to dissipate in the field, and the fruit is prone to rot.

3. Precautions for harvesting operation

Be gentle when harvesting to avoid mechanical damage to the fruit.

The length of the fruit stalk should be slightly longer than the fruit shoulder, and the cut should not be contaminated by soil to reduce the chance of pathogens invading.

After harvesting, the fruits should not be stacked immediately. Instead, they should be placed in a cool and ventilated place for a period of time to help evaporate excess moisture and dissipate heat from the field, making it easier to identify and remove slightly injured fruits.

4. Storage conditions

The suitable temperature for storing pumpkin is 10℃, and the relative humidity of the air should be maintained at 70%-75%.

Before storage, make sure the surface of the pumpkin is dry and avoid washing it directly with water to prevent bacterial infection and rot.

Regular inspections should be carried out during storage, and diseased or rotten fruits should be removed in time to prevent the spread of the disease.

Generally speaking, there is a saying among the people that "plant melons and beans around the time of Grain Rain", so in some areas the Grain Rain season is the best time to grow pumpkins and also meets the basic conditions for pumpkin growth.