When to plant pumpkins in the open ground
Pumpkin loves warmth and at air temperatures below 14 degrees stops its growth. Therefore, you should not be in a hurry to plant seedlings in the beds. Wait until the soil warms up to 15 degrees, and the air – at least 20 degrees. In such conditions, plants will feel comfortable.
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Orient yourself on the climatic features of your region, and also look in the weather forecast for the coming weeks. Usually in the south, pumpkins are moved to the beds from the middle of May, in the middle zone not earlier than the end of May – early June, in the north – closer to the middle of June.
How to choose a pumpkin for planting
Try to plant several varieties of pumpkins with different ripening dates at once to provide yourself with reserves before winter.
Decide on the variety
Pumpkins vary in maturity. For example, early-ripening ones are harvested about 80-90 days after sprouting. Fruits are not suitable for long-term storage, so it is better to eat them immediately. Medium-ripening ripen in about 90-110 days and are able to lie until the end of autumn. Late varieties ripen at least 110 days after the emergence of shoots, but they can keep fresh until winter.
The shape of the fruit can be rounded, flattened, pear-shaped or elongated, while the colour of the rind is not only the classic orange, but also yellow, creamy white and green.
