Welcome all to the Growing Guides @GreenUp. Our guide covers all the information that you will need to grow Pumpkins successfully—including sowing seeds, transplanting Pumpkin outside, and plant care in an easy, simple way.

Pumpkins are not hard to grow; they are water rich and could be grown easily.

Growing Pumpkin for Beginners: From Planting to Harvest

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a vegetable and is rich in Vitamin-A and contains protein of about 1g per 100g. It belongs to the family of Cucurbits.

 

 

• Scientific Name: Cucurbita.
• Indian Names: Kaddoo (कद्दू).

Planting

When to Plant Pumpkin

It is a summer crop so make sure it is planted after the winter season has passed.Pumpkins grow well in warm areas. The soil should be well drained so that no water collects there.

You can use normal garden soil.

Site Selection

Select the site which gets good amount of sun. Pumpkins love sun and they need a lot of space with sprawling vines.

Well, this could be easily grown from seeds. And they do even better when grown directly from seeds.
Sow the pumpkin seeds in small pots 1 to 2 inch deep or seed starting trays about ¼ inches deep in proper soil mix(Take 20% garden soil and 80% compost). You may use 1 - 2 inch plastic cups if you don't have seed starting trays or small pots.
Keep the soil moist.

Plant Care

Watering

As always, I tell you to water plants deeply so that each root gets sufficient water. Pumpkin loves water.

Water deeply especially when the fruit is set.

Fertilizing & Care

Add compost to the soil. The soil should be rich in nutrients.

If you wish, you may use bio-stimulant to avoid dropping off of flowers and buds from the plant.

You may use liquid fertiliser if you want.

You will need trellises if you don't have much open space, as it is a vine and spreads.

Weeding

Weeding is important so that your plants get all the nutrition and improves soil aeration.

Be careful while weeding, as its roots do not remain too deep in the soil.

Do not carry out deep hoeing as ot may destroy plant roots; just do shallow hoeing.

Pests, Diseases

Do not worry too much if you don't see fruits coming out from flowers. This might be due to the male flowers that you see, female flowers give fruits. Both the flowers could be seen in the vine, So just wait for their pollination. 

Harvesting

Pumpkins grow quickly. Do not let it on the plant for too much time, else it will start over ripening.

Harvest Pumpkins when they are mature. 

Their skin feel hard to touch when they are fully riped.

Exclusive Tips @Green Up

• Don't over-water as your plant would die with excess water.

• After transplanting the plant, do not keep directly under sun. Keep it first few days under shade (if possible), then a few days later, take them out under the sun.
  

• Spray organic pesticides, so that it does not hinders the plant's growth, such as dilute solution of Neem Oil mixed with shampoo. Learn more about treating Pesticides.

• Learn more about fertilizers and their usage, doses.
  

• Click here to read more plant care tips for free(given by gardeners, and farmers) exclusively on Green Up.
  

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