The friendliest splashes of color in the garden come from the pumpkin fruits. Bright orange, they decorate the autumnal days. But they have to clear the bed before the onset of winter at the latest. Where can the pumpkins go? Read all about their storage.

Pumpkins can be stored in a dry cellar for several months

Wait for maturity

Only mature winter squash, such as Hokkaido, Hubbard and Turban squash, are suitable for long-term storage. This is how you can reliably tell whether it is time to harvest:

  • the leaves are dying
  • the stem is lignified and dry
  • the shell is firm and cannot be scratched with a nail
  • some varieties sound hollow when tapped
  • with orange-red varieties, the hue becomes more intense

tips

The ripe pumpkins are cut off the plant with a sharp knife. A stalk about 10 cm long should remain on the pumpkin.

Suitable pumpkin fruits

In principle, any ripe winter squash is suitable for storage. It must not be damaged or show bruises. After harvesting, the pumpkins should also be left to dry in the fresh air for a few days. This is best done outside in the garden, provided the weather is dry.

Summer squash are harvested immature in summer and must be consumed soon after harvest.

Post-ripening as an intermediate stage

Before the pumpkins move into their storage location, they should first have the opportunity to ripen. This process has many advantages:

  • After-ripening improves the taste
  • The ability of the kernels to germinate is increased
  • The stalk dries up, which increases protection against infection

The after-ripening takes about three weeks and should be done in a bright and dry place at about 20 degrees Celsius.

tips

Place the pumpkins on a dry surface, such as cardboard. They should also be turned regularly so that they dry evenly.

The ideal storage location

After ripening, the pumpkins need a different storage location. Maintaining the ideal temperature is particularly important. If it is lower, the pumpkins can rot. If it is higher, the taste suffers.

The optimal storage space is characterized as follows:

  • it is dry and dark (e.g. basement)
  • the room temperature is 12-15 degrees Celsius
  • is airy, with low humidity

The pumpkins should be stored in such a way that no bruises can form on them. Wooden boxes and nets are well suited for this.

storage duration

If stored properly, pumpkins can last up to 6 months. However, how long a pumpkin can actually be stored depends on the variety.

Store squash in the fridge

Summer squash, which includes zucchini, can also be stored in the cool fridge. However, their shelf life is limited to about seven days.

Leftovers from cut pumpkins can also be stored in the fridge for about two days. The pumpkin piece should be packed well beforehand and the seeds removed if necessary.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden