Join me out in my pumpkin patch. This is what it looked like this spring when I started to sow.
(To
see the above slide show, click first on big triangle in center of picture and then on small rectangle
in lower left to get full-screen pictures and comments.)
We visited Inger Johanne and Arne Ulfeng in Fredikstad, Norway. They recently
published a book about pumpkins and squash with good recipes and wonderful
pictures. It is only in Norwegian, but if you're interested, contact them at arne.ulfeng@bluezone.no
Sow
in 3-
5 cm
containers or plug trays. Thin to 1-2 plants/cell with scissors. Harden
plants 4-7 days by reducing fertilizer, water, and temperature, moving
flats outside if there is no frost danger. Transplant after frost danger,
earlier only if plants are to be covered with floating row covers.
Transplant about
45 cm
apart for bush and small-fruited varieties, and 60-
90 cm
apart for large-fruited varieties. Take care not to disturb roots!
DIRECT SEEDING
Sow
in late spring after frost danger when soil is warm, minimum
17°C
for treated seeds and
21°C
for untreated seeds. Seeds will rot in cool soil, especially cool, wet
soil. Sow 2-3 seeds every
45 cm
(60-90 for large-fruited varieties) ca 2-
3 cm
deep; or sow about
15 cm
apart. Thin to 1 plant per spot. Rows
2 meters
apart, 3-
4 m
apart for larger fruit.
OTHER PLANTING SCHEMES
Some
growers "check plant" in rows
1 meter
apart, plants
1 meter
apart in the rows (or
2 meters
apart in both directions). This permits tractor cultivation in both
directions. If the larger spacing is used, one can leave 2-3 plants per
hill.
DISEASES
Downy
mildew may occur in cool, damp weather, powdery mildew in hot, droughty
periods and in late summer. Consult your agrochemical dealer for specific
fungicide control.
SPRING COLD PROTECTION
Floating
row covers will provide some frost protection and add warmth for vigor and
earlier harvest.
INSECT PESTS
Protect
young plants with floating row covers. This has not been a large problem
in
Sweden
. Occasionally aphids have been found and they can transmit viruses.
FALL FROST
Frost
kills leaves and can thus facilitate harvest; however, it can also damage
fruits and cause spotting and poor storage. Mature fruits can usually
tolerate 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 light frosts without substantial damage.
Sprinkler irrigation wards off moderate frost damage to fruits.
HARVEST
Before
heavy frost, cut stems at least
3 cm
from the fruit when stem is drying and skin is hardening. Handle fruits
like eggs!
CURING
Cure
in the field to dry and toughen skins by exposing fruits to sun for 5-7
days or so if weather permits, covering in the evening if frost is likely.
An indoor method of curing is to expose squash to 27-
32°C
with ventilation for 3-5 days.
STORAGE
Store
at 10-
13°C
, 50-75% humidity, and good air circulation.
DAYS TO MATURITY
From
direct seeding; subtract about 14 days if transplanting. This is quite
variable from year to year depending on the weather.
DIRECT SEEDING RATES
Some
Swedish farmers are sowing about 13,400 seeds per hectare with about 1.5-
2 meters
between rows and ½-
1 meter
within the row. In 2005 most of the Halloween pumpkins were quite large.
In order to possibly reduce their size it has been recommend to sow or
plant closer in the row, but do not decreasethe distance between rows.