When to remove a pumpkin from a garden in the Leningrad region and how to store it correctly so that it does not deteriorate

Pumpkin grows more readily in the southern regions, as it loves warmth and light. Nevertheless, with the right choice of seed material and observance of agrotechnical rules, it is possible to grow a sweet beauty in almost any climatic conditions, with the exception, perhaps, of the Far North. For example, summer residents of the Leningrad region successfully cope with this task.

From the article you will learn when to remove a pumpkin from a garden in the Leningrad Region and how to properly harvest and store the crop.

Features of growing pumpkin in the Leningrad region

The Leningrad Region is part of the North-West region of the country, occupying an area of ​​85.9 thousand square meters. km. Agroclimatic conditions of specific administrative regions differ (mainly depending on the position on the west-east axis), but common features are also traced.

Weather conditions and their impact on agricultural technology

The climate of the Leningrad region is scientifically called "Atlantic-continental". In practice, it can hardly be called favorable for growing heat-loving crops:

• moderately cold winters;
• cool humid summer;
• long off-season - spring and autumn;
• the frequent change of sea (Atlantic) and continental, arctic air masses creates the feeling of the wind “blowing from all directions”;
• due to cyclones, the weather in all seasons is unstable and changeable.

Reference! Despite the fact that the warm period with an average daily temperature above 0 ° С lasts 205-220 days (from the first ten days of April to the end of October - early November), there is a high probability of frosts in late May - early June, and then in the first ten days of September.

The amount of precipitation is of great importance for pumpkin farming in St. Petersburg and the region. For a year in the Leningrad region, they fall out 550-700 mm. At the same time, 70% falls on the warm period in the form of showers, thunderstorms, and often hail. This makes it difficult to grow a vegetable that does not tolerate high soil moisture.

Insufficiently fertile soils prevail on the territory of the region: sandy, loamy, sod-podzolic. The exception is the Ordovician plateau (Volosovo, partly Lomonosov, Kingisepp and Gatchina), where the land is relatively rich in humus, calcium and other minerals.

Based on the conditions, pumpkin agricultural technology in the Leningrad Region includes the following rules:

1. Early-maturing vegetable varieties with a ripening period of 90-105 days are preferred. Mid-ripening and late-ripening ones run the risk of being caught by frost or sudden fluctuations in night and day temperatures.
2. Due to the poverty of the soil, the future planting site must be fertilized in advance. For example, in the fall, apply complex mineral or organic fertilizers (mullein, chicken droppings). It is not advisable to do this at the beginning of the summer cottage, as there is a great risk of overfeeding the plants with nitrogen.
3. Unstable spring weather makes it necessary to pre-breed seedlings, because seedlings die at temperatures below 14 ° C. The seeds are sown in peat pots in early May, planted in the ground in the last decade of May - early June.
4. To protect plants from "surprises" of the weather (showers, hail, nighttime cold snaps), it is better to grow them in greenhouses, hotbeds or under a film on arcs.
5. In addition to shelters, soil moisture can be reduced by regular loosening, high-quality drainage or the organization of raised beds. Watering should be rare, once every 1-2 weeks, and only with warm water.
6. It is necessary to pinch and trim excess foliage for the normal formation of ovaries and for the fruit to receive a sufficient amount of sunlight.
7. Ripening pumpkins need a dry backing: plywood, pieces of siding, etc. Lying on damp and cold ground, they can contract white rot.

When to harvest pumpkin in the Leningrad region

Even with the observance of all the rules of agricultural technology, untimely collection will lead to loss of yield. Frosts can significantly spoil pumpkins - such fruits do not last long. In this situation, it is better to pick the vegetables unripe and create conditions for artificial ripening.

The optimal harvest period is determined using:

• the vegetative period specified by the seed producer;
• external signs of pumpkin ripeness;
• weather forecasts for the end of the dacha season (if frost and precipitation are not expected, you should not rush);
• lunar calendar.

Attention! Frosts and prolonged rains adversely affect the keeping quality of pumpkin.

How to tell if a pumpkin is ripe

A number of external signs will help to most reliably determine the maturity of a vegetable:

1. The peduncle dries up, becomes lignified and hard to the touch, and easily separates from the stem.
2. Leaves fade, sometimes turn yellow or dry out.
3. The color of the peel of the fruit acquires a bright, rich color. It can be different: bright orange, green, grayish - depending on the variety.
4. The rind acquires a denser and firmer structure and a more pronounced texture pattern (longitudinal stripes).

In addition to the above, experienced gardeners use such signs as:

• lack of a trace of the nail, if you hold it over the vegetable crust;
• feeling of hardness when pressed with fingers;
• matte bloom on the peel;
• dull sound when tapped.

Reference! In the northern regions, including the Leningrad region, harvesting begins in the second half of August. The pumpkin is completely harvested by about September 15th. However, the timing depends on the meteorological conditions of a particular year.

Harvesting time depending on the variety

Traditionally, according to the duration of the growing season, varieties of early ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening pumpkin are distinguished.

1. An early ripe vegetable is ready for harvesting 90-105 days after the formation of the first shoots, i.e. around August. As a rule, such varieties give relatively small fruits (from 2 to 7 kg), are resistant to diseases. The main disadvantage of early ripening pumpkin is that it cannot be stored for more than a month.
2. Mid-season varieties ripen within 120 days. Accordingly, the harvest time is shifted to September. You can store such a vegetable all winter.
3. Late-ripening varieties are usually represented by giant pumpkins. It will take up to 200 days to grow a vegetable the size of Cinderella's carriage. It is very risky to cultivate such pumpkins in the climate of the Leningrad region - if the soil freezes, the crop will be spoiled.

Reference! The Kolobok variety grows for 90-102 days from the first shoots to full maturity. It got its name from the rounded shape of the fruit weighing 4-7 kg. Prized for its sweet pulp, rich in sugars and carotene, and a thin skin. A compact bush gives a high yield - about 14 kg / sq. m.

Lunar cleaning

Belief in the influence of the phases of the moon on the development of plants is based on the doctrine of cyclic processes in the body of any living creature.

Attention! It is up to everyone to decide whether to follow these precepts. Great doubts are caused by numerous publications contradicting each other in indicating the same day of different states of the moon. Choose a reputable source to avoid getting screwed up.

Favorable for harvesting fruits, including pumpkins, are days when the moon is in the constellation:

• Gemini (with a decreasing phase);
• Scorpio (in the growing phase);
• at any phase in Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius.

Pumpkin picking rules

Having decided on the timing of the harvest, it is important to follow the procedure correctly:

1. Choose a dry, moderately warm day.
2. Leave 3-4 cm of the peduncle so that various infections do not get into the fruit separated from the maternal stem.
3. Try not to damage the fruit. If the crust still has a crack or scratch, seal it with a bactericidal plaster.
4. Sort vegetables according to ripeness and integrity. Send unripe for ripening, use damaged ones as soon as possible.

Important! Pay special attention to examining the plant for various diseases. If there are traces of rot, bacteriosis or mosaic on the fruit or tops, vegetables cannot be stored for a long time. Moreover, they should not be used as a source of planting seeds.

Ripening

It happens that weather conditions do not allow the fruits to be left on the whips and bushes until they are fully ripe. In this case, the best way out is ripening, that is, bringing to ripeness in artificial conditions.

The pumpkin will grow to condition in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Many summer residents are advised to put the fruits under the bed. In 1.5-2 months, the pulp will gain sweetness, the concentration of sugars, vitamins and carotene will increase in it.

How to store the harvested crop

It is impossible to eat the entire pumpkin crop in a day or two, since the vegetable is quite large. In addition, the plant rich in vitamins will add useful variety to the winter-spring diet. So the question is how save the fruit as long as possible, worries many gardeners.

Optimal conditions

General rules for storing pumpkin:

• temperature limits + 5 ... + 15 ° С;
• air humidity not more than 65-75%;
• lack of direct sunlight;
• good ventilation of the room.

Attention! Dampness negatively affects the keeping quality of vegetables, therefore traditional unheated cellars and cellars - not the best option for storing them.

The fruits should not lie on the floor, but are best placed on shelves or covered with straw, hay or tarpaulin. Place the pumpkins so that they do not touch the sides, with the stalks up.

Storage periods

With the proper organization of the storage space, the pumpkin does not deteriorate and does not lose its taste for several months.

Remember, early varieties are meant to be consumed within a month. And do not flatter yourself about thick-skinned varieties: seeds can germinate inside the chamber, which will take the sugars from the pulp of the vegetable itself. Butternut pumpkin has the highest keeping quality.

The surest way to preserve your pumpkin until next season is to peel, chop, and freeze. Frozen vegetables stay fresh in the freezer for up to 70 weeks.

Dried pumpkin has no less shelf life. It is stored in linen bags for 12-18 months.

Attention! The pumpkin can be pre-cut into segments, the seeds removed, wrapped in plastic wrap and stored as such in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This is a convenient option if the vegetable is regularly present in dishes.

Conclusion

Growing a pumpkin in a summer cottage is not only interesting, but also profitable. Due to its impressive size, the vegetable is enough for preparing several dishes or a meal for a large family.

To successfully grow a pumpkin, consider the agro-climatic conditions of the region. So, a short, humid and not too hot summer in the Leningrad region forces gardeners to grow pumpkin seedlings and under cover. Most often, early ripening varieties are used - the rest, most likely, will not have time to mature in natural conditions and will have to be sent to ripening.