Autumn is the harvest time for many vegetable crops. Experienced vegetable growers already know, but beginners are interested in when to remove pumpkin from the garden. If you leave a vegetable in the garden too long or, conversely, rush to pick it, you may never recognize the ripe taste of the fruit.
Homemade canned food or culinary dishes are much tastier and more aromatic if made from well-ripened pumpkin.
Pumpkin ripening time: it all depends on the variety
Each vegetable variety has its own growing season. Therefore, before planting a crop, you need to carefully study the characteristics and description of its variety. Information is often located on the seed package. There, the manufacturer also gives recommendations regarding growing techniques and caring for the plant.
There are several factors that influence the timing of pumpkin ripening.
The seed variety can be divided into 3 types: early ripening, mid-ripening and late ripening. Depending on this, the timing of harvesting is determined.
In the first group, the fruits ripen at the end of July or at the beginning of August. They have a specific delicate taste and aroma. The peel is thinner, so the crop is not stored for a long time. The growing season of the group of early ripening varieties lasts from 92 to 104 days.
The second group includes mid-season pumpkin types. The fruits are larger, dense, with a hard skin. They can be stored for a long time provided they have not been frozen. Harvesting is carried out until the first sub-zero temperature. The growing season of this group ranges from 110 to 120 days.
Late-ripening varieties are larger and can be stored for a long time, up to 6 months. The growing season of this group of varieties is about 200 days. This type of pumpkin can be harvested at the ripening stage. It perfectly picks up flavor and juiciness when picked. The characteristic color will tell you when to pick the fruits of late-ripening varieties. The light orange color is the first sign that the vegetable has gained the required strength.
For large-fruited pumpkins, which require time to develop taste and juiciness, the harvest time may be extended. From September to mid-October, the fruits are still in the beds.
You need to pick pumpkins from the garden on time. Retention of fruits on the stems, like frosts, also leads to rapid spoilage of the crop.
Signs of pumpkin ripeness: when to remove pumpkin from the garden
Most pumpkin varieties have common signs of ripeness. These include the following indicators:
- You can pick a pumpkin if its stalk has dried out and acquired the structure of wood. The size and thickness of the stalk depend on the variety and how large the vegetables themselves are. It is located at the junction of the fruit and the stem. As soon as the pumpkin has collected all the necessary substances and its growing season is over, the stalk begins to dry out and die, turning into a hard, almost wooden tail.
- A characteristic sign of ripeness is the color of the peel. It takes on, depending on the variety, a light yellow or orange tint. Mid-season varieties, which include Butternut or Wax, do not change their color. They remain green or white even when fully ripe.
- In most varieties, signs of ripening are primarily reflected in the density of the peel. It becomes so hard and durable that it is sometimes difficult to cut.
- As soon as the pumpkin ripens, it will begin to draw all the moisture and juices from the plant. The stems and leaves will gradually wither and dry out. This is a clear sign that the fruit can be picked.
It is not advisable to store the harvest with other vegetables and fruits in the same box. Some types of fruit emit ethylene. This gas causes the pumpkin to spoil quickly.
Pumpkin ripening and proper storage
Gardeners often face a problem when pumpkin does not last long. It is possible that the reason for this situation was non-compliance with the conditions and requirements for crop storage. To prevent this from happening, you should adhere to a number of rules:
- As soon as the fruit has been removed for storage, it is taken to a dark room where there is no sunlight. Good ventilation in the basement or cellar is important.The vegetable does not tolerate high air humidity, so the room should be dry and fresh.
- You can count on long-term storage only by cutting the fruits from the plant in time. Overexposed and unripe pumpkins are stored for no more than 1-2 months.
- An important condition is maintaining the temperature regime in the storage. It is necessary to ensure a constant temperature in the room ranging from +7...18 °C.
- Lay out the fruits on a wooden surface. The main thing is that they do not touch each other. During storage, it is necessary to periodically inspect vegetables for spoilage. A damaged copy is immediately removed from storage.
- If a pumpkin has been damaged by frost, you will have to use it immediately for cooking. It cannot be stored for a long time. Frozen vegetables quickly become unfit for consumption.
- Due to long-term storage, fruits lose their taste, but this does not apply to nutmeg varieties. These varieties do not lose pulp, but, on the contrary, gain taste and aroma over time, maintaining juiciness and sweetness.
Cleaning according to the lunar calendar or by exact calculation
Experienced gardeners carry out all work on the site according to the lunar calendar. Planting seeds for seedlings, moving seedlings into the ground and even harvesting have their favorable days.
The moon has a great, invisible influence on all life on the planet. Plants are also sensitive to its phases.
Almost all gardening is based on the lunar calendar. But every year it changes, and calculations are carried out in a new way.
Under favorable conditions, pumpkins actively grow and gain their taste.A positive environment includes not only well-executed agricultural technology, but also correctly selected days for planting seeds in the ground, in accordance with the lunar calendar, and a favorable period for harvesting.
You should not rely solely on the lunar phases; it is important to take into account the climate, season and weather during pumpkin picking. Depending on the climatic characteristics of the region, all dates for harvesting fruits may be shifted.
Vegetable growers make accurate calculations based on the growing season stated by the seed manufacturer.
Advice from an experienced gardener
Experienced gardeners willingly share their secrets regarding when vegetables should be harvested; the harvest should be done before the first frost. It is better to choose a dry and sunny day for this, since it is important that the pumpkins are stored dry.
You need to collect the fruits correctly. The stalk seems to be rotated around its axis, thereby sealing its edges. The pumpkin will retain its juiciness longer if the tail is unscrewed rather than cut off.
The variety of fruits is large, and each variety has its own growing season.
