Pumpkin, wint. squash (Curcubita maxima; Curcubita moschata)
Probably the best vegetable for children to grow - not only can they produce some truly enormous pumpkins, but you don't need to buy extortionately expensive Hallowe'en pumpkins. My children love pumpkin pie and we stock up on spiced pumpkin soup for the winter.
| Soil | |
|---|---|
| Stony |  |
| Light | |
| Loamy |  |
| Heavy | |
| pH | 5.5 - 6.8 |
| Manure | |
| Previous crop |  |
| Previous autumn | |
| Before planting | |
| Position | |
| Full sun | |
| Partial shade | |
| Shade | |
| Exposure | |
| Open | |
| Sheltered | |
Sow indoors
sow indoors
Plants seed sideways (to prevent water collecting and causing rot), 2.5cm deep in 7.5cm pots in a heated propagator (min 13°C). Thin to strongest seedling when large enough to handle and harden off two weeks before planting outside.
plant
Between plants: 90cm Between rows: 90cm
Plant out after all danger of frost has passed, using cloches in colder areas. Fill a hole 30 x 30 x 30cm with well-rotted manure and/or compost and create a mound on top. This will help ensure they are well-drained. Plant at the centre of this and keep well-watered from the sides, not above, as this may encourage rotting. Mulch with grass clippings, spent manure or even black plastic to keep the roots moist. For trailing (as opposed to bush) varieties, spacing should be increased to 150cm.
harvest
You can harvest as soon as they are ripe but to improve storage leave on the plant as long as possible (but before the first frosts arrive) as this allows the skin to toughen up. The tougher the skin, the better they will store.
Sow outdoors
sow outdoors
Between plants: 90cm Between rows: 90cm
Fill a hole 30 x 30 x 30cm with well-rotted manure and/or compost and create a mound on top. This will help ensure they are well-drained. Plant three seeds 2cm deep at the centre of each mound after all danger of frost has passed, using cloches in colder areas. Remove all but the strongest seedling and keep well-watered from the sides, not above, as this may encourage rotting. Mulch with grass clippings, spent manure or even black plastic to keep the roots moist. For trailing (as opposed to bush) varieties, increase the spacing to 150cm.
harvest
You can harvest as soon as they are ripe but to improve storage leave on the plant as long as possible (but before the first frosts arrive) as this allows the skin to toughen up. The tougher the skin, the better they will store.
