Now that autumn has arrived, it is not too late to start planting seeds for an autumn harvest, at least for the hardy crops that can be stored for the colder months. Squashes and pumpkins are two of the best stowaway crops for autumn gardening. They have an exceptionally long storage life, often surviving till spring, and they offer substantial nutrition.
Growing Fundamentals
The best time to plant seeds for giant pumpkins suitable for carving jack-o’-lanterns is in June, after the danger of frost has passed but while there is still a good deal of warm weather left. While many people associate pumpkins and squash with the cooler months of the year, these vegetables are really highly frost sensitive and do best when the temperature is in between 50 and 90 degrees. This is not one of the crops (like spinach or kale) that gets better after a hard frost in the fall. That’s right; the game is done.
In order for pumpkins and squashes to reach maturity, it takes about 75-125 days. Late summer planting calls for fast-maturing squash and, perhaps, small pumpkins. As could be expected, the general rule is that larger pumpkins require more time to mature. It’s too late to sow winter squash and pumpkins in most of the United States in September.
Some Growing Advice
Squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers, as a family, prefer early watering, but their huge, delicate leaves should not be watered until the afternoon. Still, water is a major component of the fruits, so it obviously helps them grow. Rather than being watered lightly every day, squashes do best with waterings that are deep yet rare. Then, as the fruit ripens, progressively reduce the amount of water until it is completely eliminated one week before harvest.
Numerous bugs, beetles, and aphids are always on the lookout for something to eat. A healthy eco-system that promotes biodiversity in the garden is the greatest way to balance out the harm done by bugs, however some can be eliminated by hand. Move things around and let predatory insects and animals into the garden. Not every available pumpkin will be given to humans, but there will be plenty of food for everyone.
Options for Growing
Butternut and acorn squashes are two of the most popular varieties of fall squash, but you might not be as familiar with delightful banana and jack-be-little squashes. It’s comforting to know we have choices, and diversity is always welcome. As an example, consider these seven options:
- Hubbard squash is known by several other names, but in essence, it is a type of squash that resembles the pumpkins we usually associate with Halloween, except that it is green. It takes about 100 days to reach full maturity, is on the sweeter side, and can weigh anywhere from five to twenty pounds. Remember, it can’t take the cold, so let it four months to mature.
- The most popular winter/autumn squash is probably butternut; like hubbards, it takes around four months for it to develop. When the skin becomes rigid and resists pressure from a thumbnail, it is ready to be harvested.
- Another well-liked type is the acorn squash, which is ready to be picked in just three months. These small, sweet squashes often weigh in at only a few pounds but pack a big flavor punch. Around three months of storage time is possible.
- The Delicata squash, which grows to about two pounds when mature, is ready to harvest after around 90 days. It may be kept for up to four months and is highly prized for its distinctive oblong shape and horizontal stripes. These squashes are perfect for baking whole or halved. The outer layer, or skin, can be eaten.
- The spaghetti squash is a unique individual. Another rapid maturator, this one reaches full size in about 90 days. The uniqueness of this species lies in the fact that its meat, when prepared in the traditional manner, takes on a texture not unlike that of spaghetti.
- Baby pam and sugar pie pumpkins made the list for a few reasons. To begin, how could they possibly not be included with names like that? More significantly, as the name says, they are excellent for baking pies, and because they are little, they mature in around 105 days.
- Jack-be-little pumpkins are another type of little, fast-growing pumpkin that has a nice flavor and can be used to make miniature jack o’lanterns, as the name suggests. Jack-Be-Quicks is a pretty similar kind that isn’t all that different.
Storage for winter
Pumpkins and other winter squashes taste great. They are fantastic because, like root vegetables, they keep for a long time in storage, unlike the more delicate summer crops. That’s why you should put them on your list of things to cultivate not just next year but also this year (if it’s too late in your area, try cultivating them in pots inside) and in the years to come.
