When and how to plant pumpkins in the open ground, when to sow according to the lunar calendar in 2024

Under certain conditions, pumpkins can be planted in open ground, or they can be sown for seedlings in advance. It all depends on the climatic conditions and your desire. This was reported by SSPDaily.

Although pumpkin is an unpretentious crop to grow, it loves and responds to warmth and light. Pumpkin does not tolerate frost. Therefore, in cold regions or cold springs, it may not ripen if you sow it outdoors right away.

When to plant pumpkins outdoors depends on:

• weather characteristics of the region,
• the varietal characteristics of the plant, and its ripening time,
• the phase of the moon.

When to plant a pumpkin with seedlings

You should grow seedlings first and then plant them outdoors if you live in a region with a cold climate or want to grow late-ripening, most delicious pumpkin varieties.

When to plant a pumpkin in the open ground

First of all, you need to focus on the weather and wait for consistently warm days, without night frosts. If the daytime temperature is below 14 degrees Celsius, the pumpkin will stop growing, so until the air warms up, there is no point in planting it in the open ground.

You can sow seeds in the open ground when the air warms up to +20° and the soil is at least +8, and preferably up to +12°C.

If possible, or in the southern regions, it is recommended to plant the seeds immediately in the beds, because pumpkins do not respond well to transplanting.

How to determine when to plant a pumpkin

To determine when to plant a pumpkin in the open ground, you need to take into account the germination period of the seeds – at least 20-25 days – as well as the temperature and precipitation. If, for example, the soil is predicted to warm up to the desired temperature in the third decade of May, the seeds should be germinated for seedlings at the end of April.

When to plant a pumpkin in 2024 according to the lunar calendar

You need to plant seeds or plant sprouted sprouts in the beds during the growing moon.

Favorable days for planting pumpkins according to the lunar calendar are:

May – 1-4, 7- 11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-31.

In June – 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-30.

How to prepare pumpkin seeds for sowing

• Select large, healthy seeds.
• Check the seeds for suitability by placing them in salted water for several hours. Healthy seeds will not sink.

• Treat and disinfect the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate for up to 4 hours or in an ash solution – 2 tbsp of ash is poured with one liter of boiling water and the seeds are soaked for 12 hours.
• Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water or warm them up in the oven.
• Germinate pumpkin seeds before sowing. After treatment, the seeds are washed and left on a damp cloth in a dark, warm place to germinate.

How to sow pumpkin seeds outdoors

The place for planting pumpkins should be well-lit, and the soil should be fertilized, with a neutral reaction. If the soil is acidic or heavy, it is recommended to add lime or wood ash.

Shrub species are planted in squares 100 by 100 cm. For planting varieties with long lashes, the distance between rows and holes is increased to one and a half to two meters.

It is very important that if the pumpkin is planted in open ground with seedlings, you cannot immediately transfer the sprouts to the beds without hardening them. First, they are taken outside for a few hours, then the time is increased to 10-12 hours so that they get used to the sun and air.