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Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

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Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae)


Pumpkin

Underplant

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glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Early start: from end of March to beginning of May
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Seeding: from end of April to end of May
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Planting: If started early: 6 weeks after early start, if bought: mid May
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Distance: 100 – 150.0 cm x 80.0 – 100 cm The space required depends upon the variety.
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Height: 30 – 100 cm
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Harvest: If started early: 20 weeks after early start, if sown: 20 weeks after seeding, if planted: from September to October. Not before September and not after October
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Habitat: sunny, sheltered habitat
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Good Neighbours: Sweet corn
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Bad Neighbours: Kale
glyphicon <%# Eval("Title") %> Requires a lot of nutrients. Needs soil rich in nutrients, lots of space. Soaking seeds in water or milk accelerates the process of germination.
Require a lot of nutrients
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Five types are cultivated:

  • Japanes pie pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma)
  • Fig-leaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia)
  • Giant squash (Cucurbita maxima)8/li>
  • Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)
  • und Vegetable marrow (Cucurbita pepo). (see Wikipedia)
They are monoecious, which means that they have the male and female reproductive organs on different parts of the same plant.

 

They need a warm and sunny position, a soil rich in nutrients, protection from the wind and a lot of space as, depending upon the variant, they can spread by up to 10 metres.

 

Propagate by sowing seeds.

 

Sweet corn

 

Kale

 

Plants that are well suited for next year cultivation:

Bush beans, Lamb's lettuce, Spinach

 

The following plants should not be planted in the following years:

How many years: Not to plant:
4 year(s) Pumpkin

 

If there is a frost at night, the young plants should be covered with a fleece.

 

  • Soaking seeds in water or milk accelerates the process of germination.
  • Before planting out, work compost into the soil or plant the young plants next to a compost heap.
  • Plants started under glass (2 seed leafs, 1 leaf) can be planted outdoors after mid May. Water the root area before planting.
  • Fertilise regularly and water but avoid standing water.
Tip:
Pumpkins rot easily so rest them on wooden boards.

 

Pests: Snails will eat young plants.
Preventative measures: A snail fence

 

When tapping the pumpkin produces a hollow sound and the skin is hard, then it is ripe.
Leave outside for as long as possible as this increases their flavour and they keep longer in winter storage.
At the latests after the first frosty night harvest all of the pumpkins (even the unripe ones) and allow to ripen in the warm.
Tip:
If you leave the stem as long as a finger the pumpkin will stay fresh for longer.

 

A cool well ventilated room will conserve winter squash for up to three months.
A whole red kuri squash will keep for six to eight weeks if kept cool and dry.
Cut pieces will keep for about three to four days in the fridge.
Cut pieces of squash can be frozen uncooked.

 

Pumpkins/squashes can be boiled, fried or baked.
Pumpkins are often made into soups or are mashed. It is however also suitable as a vegetable side dish.
Pumpkin seeds are roasted as a snack or are used to make pumpkin seed oil.

 



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