When the beautiful season is drawing to a close, pumpkin gardeners have no reason to feel sorry for their farewells. On the contrary, the pumpkin season starts with a time of joy about the successful cultivation. Here we tell you what to do now.

Harvest properly for a long pumpkin season

With a little luck, the pumpkin season will start at the end of August. If the summer was warm and dry, the magnificent pumpkins are now shining in your face. If you harvest at the right time, you will enjoy the fruits for a particularly long time.

How to determine harvest maturity:

  • there are no longer any green spots on the shell
  • during the knock test it resounds dull and hollow from the inside
  • the base of the stem is firm and dry

Cut the squash off with a sharp knife. Leaving a short piece of the stem on will extend its shelf life. If you allow the fruit to ripen for 2 to 3 weeks in a warm place, the harvest will be of top quality.

With these tips, the pumpkin time is extended

If the harvest was richer than the family plastered, pumpkins can certainly be stored until next spring. Winter squashes of the giant varieties such as 'Pumpkin' or 'Hokkaido' are particularly recommended. Assuming they didn't turn into a lantern on Halloween. This is how it works perfectly:

  • the camp site is cool and dry at 12 to 16 degrees Celsius
  • the shell and the base of the stem are intact
  • there is normal humidity
  • A well-ventilated basement or pantry is ideal

If a pumpkin has already been cut, the leftovers stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week. Cling film prevents them from drying out. Incidentally, diced pulp is excellent for freezing. Simply blanch in hot water beforehand and allow to cool.

tips and tricks

The crucial weak point on the pumpkin is the contact area on the ground. So that the pumpkin season does not come to an premature end because rot forms here, make provisions in good time. As soon as the fruit begins to grow, place the pumpkin on a Styrofoam or wooden surface. Thus, the shell is well protected from soil moisture and mold doesn't stand a chance.

Category:

Vegetable garden