Growing tips

CULTURE

 Fertile, composted, well-drained soil is best.

FROM TRANSPLANTS

 Sow in 3- 5 cm containers or plug trays. Thin to 1-2 plants/cell with scissors. Harden plants 4-7 days by reducing fertilizer, water, and temperature, moving flats outside if there is no frost danger. Transplant after frost danger, earlier only if plants are to be covered with floating row covers. Transplant about 45 cm apart for bush and small-fruited varieties, and 60- 90 cm apart for large-fruited varieties. Take care not to disturb roots!

DIRECT SEEDING

 Sow in late spring after frost danger when soil is warm, minimum 17°C for treated seeds and 21°C for untreated seeds. Seeds will rot in cool soil, especially cool, wet soil. Sow 2-3 seeds every 45 cm (60-90 for large-fruited varieties) ca 2- 3 cm deep; or sow about 15 cm apart. Thin to 1 plant per spot. Rows 2 meters apart, 3- 4 m apart for larger fruit.

OTHER PLANTING SCHEMES

 Some growers "check plant" in rows 1 meter apart, plants 1 meter apart in the rows (or 2 meters apart in both directions). This permits tractor cultivation in both directions. If the larger spacing is used, one can leave 2-3 plants per hill.

DISEASES

 Downy mildew may occur in cool, damp weather, powdery mildew in hot, droughty periods and in late summer. Consult your agrochemical dealer for specific fungicide control.

SPRING COLD PROTECTION

 Floating row covers will provide some frost protection and add warmth for vigor and earlier harvest.

INSECT PESTS

 Protect young plants with floating row covers. This has not been a large problem in Sweden . Occasionally aphids have been found and they can transmit viruses.

FALL FROST

 Frost kills leaves and can thus facilitate harvest; however, it can also damage fruits and cause spotting and poor storage. Mature fruits can usually tolerate 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 light frosts without substantial damage. Sprinkler irrigation wards off moderate frost damage to fruits.

HARVEST

 Before heavy frost, cut stems at least 3 cm from the fruit when stem is drying and skin is hardening. Handle fruits like eggs!

CURING

 Cure in the field to dry and toughen skins by exposing fruits to sun for 5-7 days or so if weather permits, covering in the evening if frost is likely. An indoor method of curing is to expose squash to 27- 32°C with ventilation for 3-5 days.

STORAGE

 Store at 10- 13°C , 50-75% humidity, and good air circulation.

DAYS TO MATURITY

 From direct seeding; subtract about 14 days if transplanting. This is quite variable from year to year depending on the weather.

DIRECT SEEDING RATES

 Some Swedish farmers are sowing about 13,400 seeds per hectare with about 1.5- 2 meters between rows and ½- 1 meter within the row. In 2005 most of the Halloween pumpkins were quite large. In order to possibly reduce their size it has been recommend to sow or plant closer in the row, but do not decrease  the distance between rows.