Soil Requirements, Soil Preparation and Planting of Pumpkin

While pumpkins can survive in a wide variety of soil conditions, they thrive in fertile (with high organic matter), deep (more than 1 m), loam, or sandy loam soils with good drainage, sufficient soil moisture, and pH levels from 5.8 to 7.5. If the pH is too low, farmers are advised to apply dolomite at least 6 weeks before planting the crop. This will improve the uptake of nutrients from the plants. The plants do not respond well in soggy, heavy soils. However, clay soils with sufficient drainage and aeration can be used in some cases. While pumpkins are more tolerant to some soil-born pathogens than other cucurbits (like cucumber and melon), applying crop rotation to reduce the disease and pest pressure is better. If closely related species have to be planted one after the other in the field, it is better than the pumpkins, the second crop, due to their higher tolerance.

Soil preparation for planting pumpkin

To achieve maximum yields, good soil preparation is essential. The aim is to have fine tilth soil that is not compacted, allowing root growth up to 1 m (3.2 ft) deep. Usually, farmers plow in a depth of 20-25 cm (8-10 in). In compacted soils, the farmers may need to plow a bit deeper. Rototillers or tooth harrows are preferred in some cases to disc-harrows to smooth the seedbed. No-till farmers can seed their pumpkins with a no-till planter or transplant the seedlings in a minimally prepared bed with only secondary tillage.

Whether the farmer decides to start his/her crop from seed or transplants is vital to offer a weed-free start to the pumpkin plants to grow. The stale seedbed technique followed by shallow cultivation or a pre-planting herbicide application may be effective weed control measures. Furthermore, mulching or black plastic can be used for covering the soil, serving as weed control. Remember that the pumpkin field should remain weed free for the first 5 weeks after planting. To protect the nutrient needs of the plants efficiently, especially in the early developmental stages, farmers must perform a soil analysis annually. Animal or green manure (135 tons/hectare or 2000-3000 bushels/acre) can be applied. Many farmers broadcast or band an N-P-K fertilizer.

Planting Pumpkin, Plant spacing, and Number of Plants per Hectare/Acre.

A pumpkin crop can start by seed, or transplants (grafted and non-grafted seedlings). The first way is the most commonly used (mainly because it is cheaper). Plant density affects fruit size and yield. When selecting the plant distances for pumpkins, it is essential to take into account the species and variety of pumpkins used (bushy or creeping varieties, vigorous growth, with large or smaller fruits, etc.) and the nutrient and water availability.

The plants can be planted in single rows in a flattened field or in raised beds depending on the pumpkin type. A typical distance that is being used from pumpkin (and squash) farmers is 61-99 cm (24-36 inches) between the plants and 1.5-3.6 m (5-12 feet) between plant rows. Such planting distances may result in a population of 2,400-7,000 plants per hectare (1,000-3,000 plants/acre). The more erect-bushy the pumpkin variety, the closer the plants can be placed. If the pumpkins are sown directly to the open field, the seeds must be placed 5 cm (2 inches) deep. To sow an area of 1 hectare, the pumpkin farmers usually require 2.3-4.5 kg of seeds (depending on their size and planting distances) (for 1 acre 2-4 lb of seeds). The pumpkin grower needs to take into account that for successful seed germination and transplant establishment the upper 3 inches of soil should have a temperature higher than 15-18°C (60-65°F). In cooler areas, pumpkin farmers usually prefer to plant in mounds or hills/raised beds 20-25 cm (8-10 in) high and with a minimum 1.20-1.50 m (48-60 in) distance between them (the largest is suitable when machines are used). If thinning of the plants is needed, you are advised to do it when the plants are 10-15 cm (4-6 in) tall.

Depending on the variety and planting distances (among other factors), each pumpkin vine is expected to yield 1.5 fruits on average. Generally, bush and semi-bush varieties are considered to give greater yields than traditional vines. Finally, the miniature varieties may give 12-15 small pumpkins per plant.

References

Read more

15 Interesting Facts about Pumpkins

Pumpkin Nutritional Value and Health Benefits

Growing Pumpkins in Your Backyard

Plant Information and Variety Selection of Pumpkins

Soil Requirements, Soil Preparation and Planting of Pumpkin

Growing Pumpkins Outdoors for Profit – Complete Growing Guide from Start to Finish

Pumpkin Yield, Harvest and Storage

Common Pumpkin Pests, Diseases, and Weed control

Pumpkin Fertilizer Requirements

Pumpkin Water Requirements and Irrigation Systems

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