The tasty Hokkaido pumpkin originally comes from Japan. Incidentally, the island of the same name is not only home to pumpkins, but also to the dog breed "Hokkaido" - sometimes referred to as "Ainu" in this country. This pumpkin variety has been very popular with us for several years, as it is easy to grow and high-yield. Find out in our guide how to harvest the delicious fruit correctly.

When is the best time to harvest?

The Hokkaido pumpkin is one of the winter pumpkins, along with around 800 other types of pumpkin. These are in season in autumn or late autumn and are characterized by their long shelf life. Hokkaido pumpkins are usually harvested between September and November, although - depending on the time of sowing and the weather - some fruits can be ripe from the end of July / beginning of August. Like all winter squashes, the Hokkaido should only be harvested when fully ripe, but the fruit ripens quickly in a warm and dry location. Harvesting while unripe is advisable when the weather is already very cold and wet, both of which the fruit does not tolerate very well.

How to recognize a ripe Hokkaido pumpkin

  • bright orange-red color without green areas (exception: green varieties)
  • dry, woody stem with brownish discoloration
  • Fruit sounds hollow and dull when tapped

Harvest a Hokkaido pumpkin - Here's how

If the Hokkaido is to be stored, you should leave the base of the stem, including a piece of the stem that is at least one centimeter long, undamaged on the fruit. Otherwise the squash will quickly start to rot. So cut off the fruit above the base of the stem with a sharp knife or secateurs. If possible, do not damage the fruit, because only undamaged pumpkins can be stored for a long time. A squash plant produces several fruits at different times of ripeness over the course of the harvest season.

Store Hokkaido pumpkin correctly

Ripe and undamaged fruits with stalks can be stored in a cool and airy place for up to three months. Dry basements or pantries are ideal for this. However, you can also cut up the Hokkaido and freeze it (raw or steamed) or boil it down. Sweet and sour pickled pumpkin is particularly tasty and tastes particularly good with hearty meat dishes.

tips and tricks

It is ideal if you grow the tasty Hokkaido together with sweet corn and climbing beans: these three plants complement each other perfectly and you save valuable cultivation area.

Category:

Vegetable garden