Kürbis pflanzen: Wann, Wie, Wo – Unsere besten Expertentipps-Botanicly

Planting pumpkins: when, how, where - our best expert tips

Many of the English colonists who arrived in North America in 1692 only survived the winter because the Indians provided them with pumpkins, among other things. On this occasion, Americans still celebrate "Thanksgiving" with traditional pumpkin pie on the last Thursday in November. Would you also like to plant your own pumpkin? Then we have the perfect tips and tricks from the experts for you.

The story of the pumpkin

The pumpkin already existed 12,000 years ago. Archaeologists found cores and remains of shells in Mexico and South America. But the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Asian peoples were already familiar with the pumpkin at that time.

Christopg Columbus discovered fruits in Cuba in 1492 that were very similar to pumpkins. From the Latin word "cucurbita", which was known in Europe as bottle gourd, "kurbitz" was created after some time. And today the common word of the fruit is "pumpkin".

The pumpkin was a very popular food and, along with potatoes and tomatoes, became a souvenir from the New World. Cultivation is very easy and the climatic conditions were ideal. The pumpkin kept for a long time and so the seafarers also enjoyed the advantages of the pumpkin. With that, the pumpkin spread around the world.

The pumpkin contains few carbohydrates and proteins. It is rich in potassium, low in sodium and contains plenty of provitamin A. The pulp contains silicic acid, which has a beneficial effect on connective tissue, skin and nails. So many reasons to eat pumpkin and plant your own pumpkin.

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When does the pumpkin have to be planted?

Cultivation indoors ensures better growth on the balcony. The ideal starting date for sowing is mid/late April. You should definitely wait for the Ice Saints, otherwise your pumpkin may get frost and then wither.

How to grow the pumpkin plant

Step 1: Before you plant the seeds in the ground, you should let them soak in lukewarm water for 24 hours.

Step 2: Once the seeds have been soaked, place them 1-2 cm deep in the soil and moisten them slightly. Pots with a diameter of 6 cm are suitable for sowing. Growing soil from the hardware store or from a garden center is best suited here.

Step 3: The perfect germination temperature is between 23 and 25 °C. To ensure this temperature, you can simply stretch cling film over each pot.

Step 4: Now you place them on a semi-shaded, warm window sill. Within the next 8 days your pumpkin will start to sprout.

Step 5: After germination, you must place the pot in a bright, cooler location just below 20°C.

Step 6: After 4 weeks you can plant your pumpkin, only this time outside. Now it's mid-May and your plant can move to the balcony. You need a planter with a volume of 60 liters and vegetable soil.

Tip: The ripening fruits may be affected by rot. To avoid this, you can put a layer of straw or a board under the pumpkin. Be careful not to damage the fruit.

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The right place to plant the pumpkin

The pumpkin prefers a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sun a day. It should be why and sheltered from strong winds and placed in fresh, preferably slightly damp, soil.

Pumpkin plants require a lot of space.If you would like to plant your plants together in a bed, then make sure that they are 1.50 meters apart. This way everyone has enough space to develop and produce magnificent fruits.

Tip: If you have a garden, then plant your pumpkin in the immediate vicinity of the compost heap, or even better, directly on the compost heap. In this way you save fertilizer and the pumpkin gets enough nutrients.

Can you also plant the pumpkin in a pot?

Of course! You can easily plant your pumpkin in a pot. You should definitely make sure that the pot has a volume of at least 60-90 liters. The best soil is compost-based vegetable soil, which you can easily find in a hardware store or garden center.

When planting pumpkins in a pot, it is important to create drainage. That means you put shards of pottery, gravel or pieces of polystyrene over the bottom opening in your pot. Spread an air- and water-permeable fleece over it. Now you can fill in the soil and bury the strongest of your pumpkin plants. Then pour generously.

For the first 8 days, your pumpkin plant should be in a semi-shady place on the balcony. After that, the pot should be in its final place with plenty of sun.

Tip: Place the pot on a planter so you can easily move it.

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The right care for your pumpkin plants

Small pumpkin varieties such as "Baby Bear", "Acorn Pumpkin" or "Little Sweet" are suitable for your balcony. After planting the pumpkin, care is very important, you have to pay attention to a few things, especially when cutting.

Water pumpkin plants

You should water your pumpkin plants moderately but regularly. If your plant's soil is too dry, it will cause growth to stop. When watering, it is important that you always water from below. If you always water your plant from above, it can happen that leaves and flowers are quickly attacked by diseases.

Fertilize pumpkin plants

When planting pumpkins, it is very important to fertilize regularly. Organic fertilizer, such as garden compost, works best. In addition, plant manure, coffee grounds and egg shells provide enough nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

If you want to make your own fertilizer, here are 3 easy recipes for you.

Pruning pumpkin plants

If you want to grow a lot of small pumpkins, then you don't have to cut back your pumpkin plants. However, if you want to harvest large pumpkins, then you should wait for the blossom and then grab the secateurs.

For each shoot you have to select a female flower with fruit set. It is at least 1.5 meters from the root ball. You simply cut off all the other flowers. If you plan to grow a giant pumpkin, only leave 2 flowers on it. Because you should always leave 1 blossom as a reserve when planting the pumpkin.

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Planting a pumpkin is not difficult at all. You should prefer him in your apartment and only put him outdoors after the ice saints. You must not water it from above and you should provide plenty of fertilizer. These expert tips will get you very far!

You can also find some fertilizers in our shop, but not only that. We also have incredibly beautiful houseplants that will turn your home into a little oasis. Have a look.

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