This is how pumpkin cultivation works

Location and soil

The cultivated forms of this pumpkin thread your way to us starting from the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The plants find optimal conditions on the fertile soils of the island. In our latitudes, the heavy consumers are often placed near the compost heap, where they benefit from the nutrient-rich seepage water. The location should also be sunny and a little sheltered.

Sowing and planting

After the ice saints, you can sow the pumpkins outdoors or prefer them indoors. Proceed as follows:

• Growing pots with a soil-sand mixture or more special Potting soil to fill.
• Press the seeds lightly into the substrate.
• Pour carefully and cover with a transparent hood.
• Keep it evenly moist but not too wet.
• The germination time is about eight days.
• As soon as the plants are about five centimeters high, prick out.

When planting outdoors in mid-May to early June, you should keep a minimum distance of one meter. As a result, the hungry plants do not compete for water and nutrients and produce more fruit.

Care and fertilization

As soon as the first small fruits appear, the Hokkaidos have an increased need for water. However, make sure you water it in a targeted manner and not on the leaves, as this increases the risk of mildew. Otherwise, you can safely let the pumpkins grow and do not have to worry about them.

So that the growing fruits are not attacked by rot, it is advisable to put a layer of straw under them.

Good and bad neighbors

Pumpkins do better if you grow them near sunflowers or sweet corn, as these plants provide light shade. Hokkaido, on the other hand, feels less comfortable in the vicinity of potatoes.