When to remove pumpkin from the garden for storage

When to remove pumpkin from the garden for storage

Try to remember what kind of pumpkin you planted in order to be guided by the timing of the vegetable’s ripening. For example, early-ripening varieties are ready for cutting approximately 3-3.5 months after emergence, mid-ripening varieties - after 4 months, late - after 4-6 months. Usually, harvesting begins at the end of August, and it is important to do it before the arrival of autumn frosts.

How to tell if a pumpkin is ripe

You can determine ripeness yourself pumpkin. The leaves of the plant turn yellow and dry out, and the fruit acquires a rich color corresponding to the variety - for example, it becomes bright orange, dark green, or becomes covered with contrasting stripes.

Pay attention to the stalk: if it has turned yellow, woody or dried out, it means the pumpkin is ripe.

Another sign is a hard peel, which, when tapped, produces a clear and ringing sound.

It happens that the pumpkin does not have time to ripen before the onset of autumn frosts, which especially often happens with late-ripening varieties. In this case, the vegetable is harvested ahead of schedule, and the fruit arrives when stored at home.

How to remove pumpkin from the garden for storage

All you need is a sharp knife or pruning shears. Pre-disinfect the tool blade with an alcohol-containing liquid to avoid introducing fungal diseases into the vegetable. garden and vegetable garden.

Cut off the stem of the pumpkin, leaving a tail about 5-10 cm long. Proceed carefully so as not to damage the fruit.

What to do with harvested pumpkin

First, wipe the vegetables with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture and dirt from the skins. Carefully inspect the fruits and discard specimens with traces of rot. Such pumpkins will not be stored for long, so if possible eat them first, removing the damaged pulp.

If the pumpkin has small cracks, cover them with regular green paint. Disinfection of “wounds” prevents fungus and rot from entering the vegetable, which will increase its shelf life.

Both fully ripe and unripe fruits must be kept in the same conditions. Find them a dry and dark room with good ventilation, where the temperature is maintained between 18–20 degrees. Make sure the pumpkins are kept away from heaters and direct sunlight. Place the crop, stems side up, on trays or shelves so that the fruits do not touch each other. Additionally, you can wrap each of them in paper or newspaper. Such clothes will absorb excess moisture.

Periodically inspect the pumpkins and promptly remove those that have begun to deteriorate.

You will find more details in the article about how to store pumpkin.