How to determine when a pumpkin is ripe. How to tell when it's time to harvest a pumpkin

Autumn is the time to sum up the results of spring-summer work and harvest. Pumpkin, as an unpretentious and fairly cold-resistant crop, is one of the last to be sent for storage. But when is the best time to do this? Since gardeners today have more than a dozen varieties of pumpkin at their disposal, with different characteristics and ripening periods, the time of harvesting vegetables largely depends on their early ripening, as well as on weather and climatic features region. When to remove the earliest varieties from the garden, and how much longer do late-ripening fruits remain in the garden?

Ripening times for different types of pumpkin

Among the varieties common in Russian garden beds, hard-bark pumpkins are distinguished by their early ripeness. Despite the fact that their collection begins 90–120 days after germination, the pulp of such varieties is not too rich in carotene, sugars and is quite fibrous. But the seeds of hard-bark pumpkins, covered with a thin peel or without it at all, are the most delicious and healthy.

I begin to harvest such pumpkins in the second half of August, and in September the hard-barked fruits, even in a cold summer, should be completely harvested. This type of fruit is not stored for long; if you keep the pumpkin and cut it after 5–6 months, you will find sprouted seeds and loose pulp that has lost quality under the bark.

The moment when it is time to remove the pumpkin from the garden can be determined by the woodiness of the petiole, compaction, hardening of the bark and change in its color.

Mid-season varieties, which include most large-fruited pumpkins, which require time to gain weight and size, ripen in 110–130 days. Such fruits are tasty, their pulp is saturated, rich in microelements and perfectly accumulates sugar. In addition, these are leaders in keeping quality, but long-term storage can be ensured only by cutting the pumpkin from the vine in time.

If the bark has not yet acquired proper hardness or has been damaged by frost, the pumpkin will have to be processed.

Therefore, it is so important to remove pumpkins from the garden before the first cold weather, which in the Moscow region or the Urals can begin as early as mid-September. If necessary, the fruits are left to ripen in a warm, dry room before being stored for 14–30 days.

The sweetest, most aromatic pumpkins ripen later than everyone else, which includes nutmeg varieties. It takes 130 to 150 days for the fruits to reach full maturity, therefore, like the large-fruited variety, these pumpkins are harvested before the frost season.

Only in the south of the country, from the Rostov region to the Crimea, when pumpkins of late-ripening varieties are harvested, do they ripen on the vine. In other regions they have to ripen for 1 to 2 months. At the same time, ripe fruits remain tasty and healthy for no longer than 4–5 months, so it is better to eat them without delay.

How do you know that the pumpkin is ripe, will be tasty and will survive several winter months without any problems?

Signs of pumpkin ripeness

Regardless of the type and early maturity of the pumpkin, its fruits have general signs maturation:

First of all, the pumpkin stalk becomes hard, loses its juiciness and takes on the appearance of wood or cork.
Pumpkin bark changes color in most varieties and varieties. Shades of green are being replaced by yellow and orange tones, the drawing becomes clear.
The bark thickens and is difficult to damage with a fingernail.
The vines and foliage of the plant wither, turn yellow and die.

If pumpkins with characteristic signs of ripening are removed from the garden, the fruits are well stored, their pulp does not lose moisture and taste for a long time.

It is better to pre-ripen pumpkins that are not fully ripe until the fruit is completely protected from the external environment. But it is better not to store ovaries with unformed bark, but to immediately process them into juice, home-canned food or culinary dishes.

It is important to remember that not all varieties change color by autumn. A similar exception can be considered wax pumpkin, varieties with gray and white bark. The shade of butternut pumpkins changes slightly.

When a pumpkin is put away for storage, these signs can be considered a selection criterion and a guarantee that the fruits will not dry out or rot.

How and when to remove pumpkin from the garden?

The most delicious and healthy pulp comes from pumpkins that are fully ripened in the garden and until last day absorbed Sun rays and nutrients from the soil. But climatic and weather this is not always possible. Therefore, when pumpkin is already harvested in the Urals, in the Stavropol region the crop can remain in the beds for at least a month.

The further north you go, the more often gardeners have to plant early-ripening varieties on their own and, to determine the harvest time, use not the plant’s prompts, but the forecast of meteorologists. For example, in middle lane pumpkins are removed from the vines in mid-September, but in the southern regions they can remain in the field until the vines are completely dry.

Whatever time the harvest takes place, it is important that the weather on the day the pumpkins are harvested is dry and warm enough. If fruits lying on the ground are seriously frozen, despite the dense bark, the vegetable suffers and may rot during storage.

The fruits are collected as carefully as possible, treating each pumpkin with care. It is important not only to avoid cutting the bark, but also to prevent the pumpkins from falling over.

After all, even through microscopic cracks in the bark, microorganisms and bacteria easily penetrate, leading to the development of mold and rot inside the fruit. In addition, when struck, the structure of the pulp changes and the juice begins to leak, which also leads to rapid spoilage of the crop.

When pumpkins are removed from the beds, it is better not to try to pick them or unscrew them from the vine, but to cut them off sharp knife, leaving a cutting 5 to 10 cm long.

If the pumpkin is without a “tail”, it is deprived of the natural protection of the pulp in the attachment zone, which will inevitably be taken advantage of by putrefactive bacteria and fungi. Therefore, when carrying and loading pumpkins, it is better not to grasp the handle, no matter how convenient and strong it may look. This rule is especially relevant when growing full-bodied large-fruited pumpkins, juicy varieties, intended for the production of juice and sweet dessert varieties. Their deterioration will be the fastest.

After cutting from the vine, the pumpkins are dried, carefully removing any remaining soil and dry vegetation on the bark. Then the fruits for a period of 10 to 30 days are placed in existing indoor storage, where the temperature reaches 27–29 °C. With humidity up to 85% in such conditions, pumpkins actively ripen, and their peel hardens.

Having learned that the pumpkins are ripe and ready for long-term storage, clean, whole fruits are selected, without signs of mechanical damage or signs of disease.

When selecting table pumpkins for the winter, their size is also taken into account. It is believed that pumpkins at least 12–15 cm in diameter can withstand many months in the basement.

When storing pumpkins, choose a cool, dry room with a temperature of 10–13 °C and constant ventilation. In storage, the fruits are carefully laid out on racks or pallets, avoiding crowding and contact of the pumpkin with wet surfaces. It's best if:

the crop is placed in one layer above the ground level at least 10–15 cm;
pumpkins do not touch or come into contact with other vegetables and fruits;
the storage is protected from rodents;
There is no condensation or fungal infection in the room.

It is especially important not to place the pumpkin in close proximity to apples, pears, and quinces. These fruits emit ethylene, which accelerates the ripening of the fruit and shortens the shelf life of the pumpkin. In the winter months, while the harvest is not used for food, it is periodically reviewed, discarding damaged or softened fruits.

How to store pumpkin - video

Pumpkin is a vegetable that grows on any plot of land. This fruit was grown in ancient times, and now modern gardeners do not forget about it. useful properties Oh. Pumpkins contain a lot of vitamins that any person needs. “How to eat pumpkin?” - you ask. Porridges, juices and even pies are made from it. It has a sweet but specific taste, which is why not everyone loves it so much.

The pumpkin can lie on the field until frost

The entire crop must be harvested in the fall, before the first frost. This vegetable is no exception, but there are also times when to collect it. Harvesting a pumpkin very often depends on its variety. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the types of this product separately.

When it ripens

Early ripening varieties. The name "early ripening" pumpkins indicates that they ripen quickly. The period of their full ripening: from 92 to 104 days. Therefore, remove such vegetable plants They advise around the end of August. Receiving a ready-made vegetable in August is chic and joyful, but there are also disadvantages. Such varieties are stored for no longer than a month, so they must be processed immediately or rolled up when they have just been removed.

Mid-season varieties. These types include:

Winter sweet;
Blue Hubbard;
Volga gray;
Medical;
Russian.

These varieties, unlike the previous ones, ripen in 120 days and can be stored, which gives them many advantages. This type of pumpkin is harvested in September, when almost the entire harvest is already in your places for storing winter supplies.

Late varieties. Among them it is necessary to distinguish:

Pearl;
Testi Delipe;
Vitamin;
Butternut.

These pumpkins take about two hundred days to ripen. It is recommended to collect fruits before the onset of serious frosts, when the winter weather has already settled. Sometimes there are cases when the time to cut the pumpkin has come, but it is not quite ripe yet. In such cases, it is still collected and placed in a dark, cool place. There it will ripen in a month. Then these fruits can be processed, rolled or frozen.

Russian is a mid-season pumpkin variety

It is very important to ensure that these vegetables are not damaged, otherwise they will spoil and will not be suitable for use.

Professional summer residents note that in the southern regions, pumpkins have not been harvested for quite a long time. It is kept in the beds until the tops are almost completely dry.

This is explained by the fact that frosts and cold weather in such places come late, so the pumpkin is not in danger of freezing and spoiling.

So how do you know whether a vegetable is ripe or not, can you remove it from the ridge, or should you wait a little?

To resolve this issue, it is necessary to highlight several signs of a ripe pumpkin product.

Signs of a ripe pumpkin:

The pumpkin legs will be as dry, tough and firm as possible. Naturally, they will not be green. The green stalk is one of the signs that the pumpkin is still ripening, and under no circumstances should it be cut off.
The leaves are dry, yellow and pale.
This ripe vegetable has a bright color.
Its skin is very hard and tough.

A dried pumpkin tail signals its ripeness.

How to properly cut and store a pumpkin

When cutting a plant, it is better to leave four centimeters of the stalk. Do this extremely carefully, because any damage, especially a cut in the peel, will have a bad effect on the storage of this product.

Let's take a step-by-step look at how to collect a gourd (that's what the common people call a pumpkin):

The first thing it does experienced gardener, this goes through all the beds and inspects the entire crop for ripening. Because the whole pumpkin is removed at once, rather than leaving a few unripe ones in the beds.
After this, you need to stock up on a good sharp knife or garden shears. Professionals in this matter advise using scissors, because it is much more convenient. Using them, it is difficult to cause significant damage to the peel.
Next, prepare the storage area for the crop. Having chosen a suitable place, you can put old blankets or straw on the floor, so it will not deteriorate or rot.
Then carefully cut off all the fruits and transfer them to a storage location. When cutting this plant, it is important to remember to leave four centimeters of the stalk.

A mature pumpkin can be used immediately for food after harvesting, but many people leave the vegetable for storage. Moreover, there is quite a lot of fruit coming out a large number of. Therefore, no family can eat a large amount of gourd.

It is often stored in a cool place, underground or in a closet, attic, garage, shed or closet.

In addition to coolness, also take into account air humidity of this premises during storage. Because high humidity air reduces the shelf life of pumpkin fruit by as much as three months. And this is quite a significant time.

Thus, we found out that pumpkins can be harvested from the end of August until October, depending on the variety and climate. We also demonstrated how to correctly and competently remove pumpkins from the beds.

If pumpkin fruits are left to ripen in the garden beds in the fall, they may freeze during the first frost. In this case, the crop will not be stored well. Therefore, it is important to help the pumpkin ripen faster.

Some varieties of pumpkin in the middle zone do not have time to ripen during such a short summer. But it doesn't matter! Vegetables ripen perfectly at home. However, when ripening in the garden, the pumpkin's immunity increases, then it better resists diseases that can develop during storage.

How do you know when a pumpkin is ripe?

Several signs indicate that the vegetable is fully ripe.

1. Dense bark. When pressing on the peel, there should be no dents left on it. Only butternut squash can sag slightly because its bark is thinner. In this case, ripeness is best determined by the color of the peel: it should be light brown or beige. The bark of a mature pumpkin turns rich yellow, brown or orange.

2. Clear drawing. Ripe vegetables have a distinct pattern. It is absent only in green-fruited varieties ( Augustine). And the pumpkin Benincasa When ripe, it becomes covered with a white coating.

3. Hard stalk. The vine on which the fruit is located hardens, becomes woody and lighter when ripe.

4. Resonant sound. Like a watermelon, when tapped on the bark, a ripe pumpkin makes a distinct sound rather than a dull sound.

5. Dense pulp and hard seed skin. When cutting the fruit, the flesh inside should be dense, not loose. And the seeds must be covered with a hard skin. The exception is gymnosperm pumpkins, which do not have a protective coating on the seeds.

Individual signs of pumpkin ripening

Some varieties have their own signals that indicate the ripeness of the fruit. So, on the orange bark of the pumpkin Bush gold light yellow stripes appear. In a large-fruited pumpkin Medical a dark dense network appears on the thin gray bark. butternut squash Vitamin becomes brown and covered with lighter round spots.

In addition, the ripening period of the pumpkin can be calculated. Seed packets usually indicate how many days it takes for a particular variety to mature. But keep in mind: this technique only works if the summer is warm and sunny.

As a rule, in the middle zone, hard-barked varieties are harvested first (at the end of August - beginning of September). In mid-September - large-fruited. And the last to be cut (from the end of September until the first frost) are nutmeg pumpkins. In the southern regions, harvesting is carried out 20-30 days earlier.

How to speed up pumpkin ripening?

To prevent vegetables from freezing in the garden, about 3 weeks before the expected cold snap, remove all the flowers on the pumpkin vines and pinch the tops of the young shoots. Then the plant will direct all the nutrients to the development of already set fruits. If there are a lot of small pumpkins on the plant, some of them (and sometimes all) need to be removed so that the large specimens have time to ripen.

If in your region, even with a fairly warm summer, the pumpkin does not ripen on time, try sowing seeds for seedlings in deep pots in April. Transplant seedlings with 2-3 true leaves into larger containers or into the ground (if the weather permits). Also, growing pumpkin on compost heap. Here the plants are not only better fed, but also warmed up additionally.

The most valuable fruits are late-ripening varieties who grew up under the southern sun. These include Muscat, Pearl. These pumpkins have a thick, hard rind and sweet flesh that is added raw to salads. Late varieties can be stored in a cool room for up to six months. They are harvested late, but even in the south ripeness occurs in a month or two.

The ripening times indicated on the seed packet are for ideal conditions. The weather makes its own adjustments. Therefore, you need to navigate when to harvest a pumpkin based on the weather, the condition of the plant and the biological maturation of the variety.

When storing any pumpkin, it is important that the integrity of the fit of the tail to the womb is not compromised. If there is a gap in this place, an infection will set in and the fruit will rot.

Harvesting rules

Harvesting is carried out in dry weather, after the lashes have dried well from the morning moisture. If bad weather strikes, you will have to harvest the crop in wet weather; such fruits need to be dried well. At the same time, separate damaged specimens. In dry, warm weather, root crops cut off from the main stem can still be kept in a melon patch, under the rays of the sun.

Everything that is said concerns pumpkin, like food product. There are many other varieties in cultivation. Loofah pumpkin provides us with excellent washcloths and serves as a filler in the furniture industry. This type of pumpkin is left to grow after frost until the skin becomes thin.

Decorative pumpkins are used for crafts in folk art. Therefore, light freezing does not affect the condition of the rind, and the pulp from these fruits is almost never used. That's why decorative fruits lie on the bed or hang longer than food grades.

Eat certain deadlines, which gardeners focus on when harvesting. For the southern regions, Crimea, pumpkin harvesting time is the end of September and beginning of October with possible ripening late varieties in room. These are mainly nutmeg pumpkins, very tasty.

In the Moscow region, harvesting should end before mid-September. In this case, you should take into account the weather forecast and avoid delaying the removal of pumpkins when it gets colder.

Siberia is big here, as well as on Far East When you can pick a pumpkin depends on your region climatic conditions.

Video about growing pumpkin

It is grown everywhere due to the presence of a huge number of varieties of this vegetable. Pumpkin is tasty and healthy, it is unpretentious, does not require careful care and can be grown even on small area land, as it does not take up much space. It is enough to water the pumpkin on time so that it becomes sweet and tasty, and sometimes feed it. But for some gardeners, the timing of removing pumpkins from the garden may be a problem. How can you tell if a pumpkin is already ripe?

Caring for pumpkin before harvest

The most unpleasant thing that can happen to a pumpkin before it is harvested is the vegetable rotting. Care is aimed at preventing this. The pumpkin lies on the ground and one of its sides is constantly in contact with it; this can lead to rot, as a result of which the vegetable will be unsuitable for consumption. Rotten pumpkin cannot be eaten, nor can it be used for processing to prepare various preparations.

If you want to pumpkin remained intact until harvest, place the grown fruit on a mound. You can put a board down under the vegetable. To save him from contact with the ground. In addition, when it rains, it is a good idea to cover the pumpkin with film.

The pumpkin gains its sweetness during the last month before it can be picked. At this time, you need to completely stop watering it. Pumpkin roots are long, so they provide enough moisture to the plant. But if the plant is watered additionally, the pumpkin will no longer be so sweet.

With the first cold snap, you should think about harvesting, since pumpkin categorically does not tolerate frost. If the weather is dry, then on cold nights you can cover the pumpkin with covering material. In rainy times, there is no need to delay collection.

When to pick a pumpkin

Pumpkin ripens 100% only in regions with a hot climate, although there are also varieties for the middle zone. But in general, it takes at least four months for pumpkin to ripen. However, one of the advantages of this vegetable is that it ripens for some time after it is picked from the garden.

There are several signs by which you can determine whether a pumpkin is ready for harvest. One of them is the foliage of the plant. If the leaves are dry and yellow, then this is sure sign that the growing season is over. True, if the pumpkin was sick before, then pay attention to other points.

Upper layer becomes hard and dense, like a cork. The color becomes brighter and more saturated, and the pattern appears more clearly on the surface of the pumpkin. The stalk also turns into a hard stem that does not bend, but breaks.

Try scratching the rind of the pumpkin with your fingernail. If there are no traces left, the pumpkin can be cut off. If you pat a ripe pumpkin, you will hear a ringing sound. It also forms a thin matte coating. The stalk of a ripe pumpkin can be easily separated.

Knowing all these signs, you can easily determine the time when it is time to harvest. Pumpkin can be stored for a long time; even without processing and creating special conditions, it can last, maintaining its qualities almost all winter.

Pumpkin has long been considered very healthy vegetable. The fact is that it contains many vitamins to normalize the functioning of all vital human organs. The fruits of this vegetable have grown in your dacha, but you don’t know how to determine the ripeness of a pumpkin and whether it can be harvested?

What are the benefits of pumpkin

Thanks to the presence of vitamins A and C, pumpkin improves the human immune system and serves as an excellent antioxidant. It also contains all the B vitamins, which help normal operation nervous system. And vitamin E, considered a “feminine” vitamin, supports natural female beauty. Therefore, our products are widely used in medicine and cosmetology.

Ripening pumpkin

Pumpkin is unique vegetable, its full maturation is different long term. Even after you remove it, it will still continue to ripen. In the middle zone, due to the weather, it does not always have time to ripen in the garden, and not everyone can grow seedlings early. According to the ripening period, early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties are distinguished.

Determine pumpkin ripeness possible based on the following criteria:

its stalk has dried out or become woody;
the color of its bark on the side exposed to the sun became brighter and yellower compared to the side lying on the ground;
the bark has hardened and acquired the color and pattern characteristic of this variety;
The pumpkin vines have dried up.

Only late-ripening varieties are harvested before they have reached maturity, but this is not a problem for them - they will ripen during storage.

Pumpkins are usually harvested in September, in dry weather, before frost sets in. Even when the tops and stalk have dried, and you have removed the fruit, it will still ripen, only for this you need to: put it in a dry and shady place and make sure that there is no moisture under it, otherwise it will rot.

As you can see, it is not difficult to determine the ripeness of a pumpkin; this can be done simply by its appearance.

For every summer resident autumn time- This is the time to sum up and evaluate the results of the work invested. Very important at the final stage gardening work avoid mistakes and collect fruits on time, carefully nurtured throughout the whole season.

In the symphony of the harvest season, pumpkin is one of the final chords. Its cold resistance and unpretentiousness allow you to leave the vegetable in the garden until frost, especially since the fruits ripened on the vine are the healthiest and tastiest. As a rule, the timing of pumpkin harvesting depends on two main factors: the ripening period of the variety and the climatic conditions of the growing region. Moreover, the second point often has crucial, especially for the middle zone and more northern regions.

Signs of a ripe pumpkin

You can easily understand that a pumpkin is already ripe by visual signs that are common to a variety of varieties.

First of all, you should pay attention to the stalk. When the pumpkin is fully ripe, the place where it joins the stem dies, gradually becoming hard, like real wood.
The bark of most varieties acquires a shade characteristic of the variety, changing green color to yellow or orange. When paying attention to this sign, it is necessary to keep in mind that there are varieties that do not change color upon reaching full maturity. These include pumpkins with white or gray bark, butternut or waxy varieties.
In addition to color, the ripeness of the pumpkin is indicated by the increased hardness of its bark. It is made so dense that it is almost impossible to leave a scratch on the surface of the fruit with a fingernail.
At the end of the growing season, the pumpkin, ripening, sucks all the juices from the plant. As a result, the lashes and leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out until they finally die.

All of the above signs are a guarantee that the fruits are fully ripe and will be perfectly preserved for several months. If circumstances force you to remove pumpkins from the garden before they are fully ripe, then such specimens must be ripened before storing.

Pumpkin ripening time

In addition to visual signs, the declared duration of the growing season of a particular variety will help you navigate the harvesting time.

For regions with short summers, planting is most relevant early ripening pumpkins. Most often these are hard-barked varieties that ripen after 3 months of growing season. Their pulp is not particularly tasty and is not at all rich in substances valuable to our body. Therefore, most often such pumpkins are grown for their wonderfully tasty and very healthy seeds.
Harvesting of hard-barked fruits usually occurs in the last ten days of August. It is not recommended to leave them in the garden until September, as the flesh of overripe specimens becomes loose.
The most popular among gardeners are: mid-ripening pumpkins. Usually this large-fruited varieties, which differ from their hard-barked counterparts in having more tasty pulp and excellent keeping quality. They reach full ripeness after 4–4.5 months. Such fruits contain high concentrations carotene, sugars, macro- and microelements, vitamin C and B vitamins.
Long-term storage of large-fruited pumpkins is possible only if it is removed from the garden before the first frost. Therefore, in the Siberian regions or in the middle zone, harvesting is usually carried out until the end of September, and then the pumpkins are ripened for two to four weeks in a warm place with low humidity.
Among the late varieties, the most common are muscat varieties. They are the most delicious, but the most whimsical and heat-loving. Fully ripen in the garden late pumpkins can only be found in southern regions with long summers, because their ripening period exceeds 4.5 months. In more northern regions, nutmeg varieties are picked before frost and ripened for one to two months, and then eaten as quickly as possible, since they are not stored very well (4–5 months).

How to properly collect fruits?

In warm regions, pumpkins ripen directly on the plant, becoming as tasty and healthy as possible. In regions with short summers, it is necessary to harvest fruits ahead of time, without waiting for all signs of full ripeness to appear. But in both cases, it is very important to properly remove the pumpkins in order to provide them with maximum term storage

For cleaning, choose only fine and fairly warm days. Keep an eye on the weather forecast so you can harvest your pumpkins before frost. Fruits affected by subzero temperatures will not be able to be stored for long.
Transportation and storage should be done as carefully as possible so as not to leave wounds and cracks on the bark from falling. Any damage is a gateway for pathogenic microorganisms and viruses, which over time will lead to the development various diseases fetus In addition, bruises cause areas of the flesh to become deformed, which also leads to early spoilage of the pumpkin.
When separating the pumpkin from the vine, use special tool(knife or pruning shears). After all, by unscrewing or tearing off the fruit, you damage the pulp area in the area of the stalk, which increases the likelihood of its rotting. It is recommended to leave the cutting at least 5 cm long. But remember that you cannot use it as convenient device for carrying. It is especially important to adhere to this rule when harvesting large-fruited pumpkins, as well as dessert varieties.
The surface of the pumpkins, separated from the rest of the plant, must be dried in air, and then, having been cleared of soil and plant debris, removed for ripening in a warm place with low humidity. The period depends on the degree of maturity of the fetus and can vary from a week to one to two months.
Ripe pumpkins are sorted, removing diseased, damaged and too small (up to 14 cm in diameter) specimens. Only full and healthy fruits will be able to withstand long-term storage without loss. All substandard items are immediately sent for processing.

How to save the harvest

To be able to for a long time feast on pumpkin dishes, you should create the maximum harvest comfortable conditions storage

Choose a place with stability low temperature, optimal values which are in the range from +10 to +13 °C. At the same time, the thermometer in the storage can drop to +4 °C, but not lower. It is allowed to keep pumpkins in an apartment, provided that the temperature does not exceed +20 °C.
Additional conditions for long-term storage are lack of daylight and good ventilation in room.
The fruits are laid out on wooden surfaces so that they do not come into contact with each other or with wet surfaces. It is important that the harvest is stored as far as possible from fruits that emit ethylene (pears, quinces or apples). This gas accelerates the ripening process and leads to premature spoilage of pumpkins.
During the winter, do not forget to periodically audit vitamin reserves, promptly removing rotten specimens, as they are a source of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
Please note that hard-bark varieties are stored the shortest (no longer than a month). Other varieties, especially late dates ripening, can lie even until the next harvest. However, over time, their pulp increasingly loses its taste and aroma and becomes unpleasantly loose. The exception is butternut squash, which long-term storage made even more appetizing.

How not to make a mistake and choose perfect time for harvesting pumpkins - so that the harvest is tasty, ripe, and stored longer? In fact, there is nothing complicated: to determine when to harvest a pumpkin, you need to know a few rules. This is what our article is about today.

Just like most other fruit-bearing plants, pumpkins are divided into three types: early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties. Certainly, optimal time Harvest time is mainly determined by which variety you planted.

Early ripening

For full ripening early ripening varieties need approximately 3.5 months: due to various factors this period can range from 94 to 104 days. Harvesting of such varieties is recommended in August (from the second half to the end). They are distinguished by their thin shell and tenderness. After harvesting, such varieties are stored for about a month.

Mid-season

Mid-season varieties require approximately 4 months (110 to 120 days) to ripen. IN in this case It is better to start harvesting pumpkins in mid-September, and you need to do it before frost - otherwise it will worsen the shelf life, and the crop may quickly begin to rot. In general, such varieties are stored longer than early ripening ones.

Late ripening

Late-ripening (or, as they are also called, hard-bark) varieties reach maturity in about 200 days, but they, like mid-ripening ones, should be harvested before frost, that is, around mid-to-late September. It turns out that you have to harvest unripe fruits, but there is nothing wrong with that - they can ripen even in the plucked state: depending on the harvesting period, this will take from 20 to 60 days; at proper storage they will continue to gain sweetness and useful substances. Most often they are distinguished by tasty pulp and a pleasant aroma. Often they can even be eaten raw. They have a rich color. These varieties can be stored for up to six months.

How to determine fruit ripeness

There are characteristic signs that can easily help you determine the ripeness of fruits.

Firstly, some of the leaves on the plant should be faded, yellowed and dried out; There should be dry areas on the fence as well. Secondly, there should be no green or juicy areas on the stalk; it should be hard and completely dry. Ripe pumpkin has a bright, rich color: yellow, orange or gray-greenish, depending on the type. Here, of course, you need to take into account the characteristics of the variety: some, even when fully ripe, remain white or gray. Finally, the pumpkin skin should become dense and stiff enough to make a dull sound when tapped.

Most often, the collection dates are written on bags of seeds, which also makes the task easier; however, due to weather, this value may fluctuate slightly.

When and how to clean

It is better to harvest pumpkins in dry weather, without frost; if the weather is rainy, the fruits will need to be dried thoroughly. For large fields, it is better, of course, to use a pumpkin harvester; If you do the picking yourself, please note that the fruits must be cut off along with the 4-5 cm stalk. If the pumpkin is cut without the stalk, bacteria will get into it, it will quickly rot and may infect other fruits. You need to cut it with a sharp knife or pruning shears, without soaking the tail, and do not break it off with your hands. Pumpkins should not be dropped - impacts may cause internal rotting.

All pumpkins intended for storage must be intact, without dents or scratches. Damaged fruits It’s better to send them for processing by making pumpkin juice out of them, drying them or putting them in canning.

Video “Pumpkin storage”

From this video you will learn how to properly store pumpkins.

Pumpkin is an unpretentious melon crop, rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains much more carotene than carrots. It is grown almost everywhere. Among gardeners, pumpkin is valued for its ability to retain its taste throughout its entire shelf life. So that she does not lose her nutrients, the pumpkin must be removed from the garden in time. Frozen vegetables are poorly stored, and when good conditions It will last all winter and will not deteriorate.

Harvesting different types of pumpkins

Pumpkin is a fairly cold-resistant crop, so it is the last one to be removed from the garden. When and how to do this correctly? Today, gardeners grow many varieties of this vegetable, which differ in terms of ripening. The ripeness of the crop also depends on weather conditions. When to remove early varieties of pumpkin from the garden, and when to remove late-ripening ones - this question is asked not only by beginners.

Early ripening pumpkins are ready for harvesting within 120 days from germination. This vegetable is not very rich in carotene, its pulp is fibrous, but the seeds are very healthy. Harvesting begins in the second half of August. In September, the entire harvest should be harvested. The vegetable is stored for a relatively short time.

Mid-season varieties can be harvested after 130 days from germination. These varieties are mostly large-fruited, rich in vitamins and store well. However, you should not delay cleaning. In the Moscow region, pumpkin is harvested in September, leaving it in a dry room for 30 days to ripen.

Late-ripening nutmeg varieties are the last to be harvested, approximately 150 days after germination. In the south of the country they ripen well on the vines, but in other regions they begin harvesting 2 months before frost. The fruits are stored for 5 months.

Important! If harvesting a vegetable is late and it is frozen, then it should be processed. Frozen pumpkin cannot be stored.

The timing of harvest depends on the weather forecast and the geographical region of the country. If in Crimea you can postpone harvesting fruits until October, then in the conditions of the Moscow region and Siberia, pumpkins are harvested already at the beginning of autumn. When choosing deadlines important point weather conditions remain. If frost is approaching, you need to hurry with cleaning. Later everything is removed decorative varieties pumpkins that are not used for food.

How to determine the ripeness of a pumpkin

Any vegetable, regardless of variety and early ripening, has external signs, by which the moment of maturity can be determined. Knowing these subtleties, any summer resident will begin harvesting on time, which will allow him to save most of it.

1. Looking carefully at the petiole, you can find that it has become hard and has lost its juiciness.

2. Ripe pumpkin takes on an orange or yellowish color. Its edges are clearly visible.

3. The degree of maturity can be checked with a fingernail. If the skin of the fruit is difficult to damage, then it is ripe enough.

4. At the end of the growing season, the vines and foliage of the plant die off.

5. A ripe pumpkin becomes covered with a matte coating and rings with a slight clap.

If the harvest corresponds to the above characteristic features, then the pumpkin is removed from the garden, so it will be better preserved and will not lose its beneficial properties.

It is better to send fruits that are not yet fully ripe for ripening in a dry room. Fruits with unformed skins cannot be stored. It is better to make delicious homemade preserves from them.

Proper care of pumpkins before harvesting

Regardless of which variety is grown in the garden, it is necessary to protect the fruits from spoilage and rot before harvesting.

In damp weather, when the fruits lie in contact with the ground, the peel rots. Inexperienced summer residents are trying to process the vegetable. But this cannot be done. The fact is that changes occur in the pulp, and eating such a fruit leads to poisoning.

To preserve the harvest, pumpkins are placed on a mound and planks are pushed under them. In rainy weather, you need to cover the fruits with film. In the last month before harvesting, stop watering the beds.

How to properly remove pumpkin from the garden

There is no doubt that the most nutritious and healthy vegetable is the one that has ripened right on the vine. But if weather conditions become worse, then cleaning is carried out immediately. Pumpkins will ripen indoors.

For harvesting, you need to choose a dry, sunny day. In rainy autumn, after harvesting, the fruits are dried in a ventilated area. Pumpkins are cut very carefully so that they do not fall and the bark is not damaged. Those fruits that will be stored are cut off with a stalk, the height of which is up to 5 cm.

After harvesting, the crop is sorted. Fruits with cracks and damaged skins are eaten first or sent for processing. The fact is that microbes penetrate through the cracks, which lead to spoilage of the pulp: it molds and rots.

The sorted crop is dried, the remaining soil and dry leaves are removed. After which it is placed for ripening in a dry covered storage, where the temperature is maintained at up to 30 degrees. Under such conditions, the peel of the fruit gradually hardens. The harvest takes up to 10 days to a month to ripen.

How and where to store pumpkin

After ripening, the crop is sorted again, rejecting fruits with soft skins. Next, the pumpkins are stored.

Important! Fruits with a diameter of at least 15 cm are stored the longest.

For long-term storage of pumpkins, choose a dry room where the air temperature is maintained within 10-13 degrees and has good ventilation. Vegetables are laid out directly in storage in one layer, preventing them from coming into contact with moisture. It would be better if racks with shelves, as in the photo, are used to store pumpkins. The distance from the floor to the first shelf should be at least 15 cm. With this storage, the crop will be well ventilated on all sides, which will ensure its safety.

A good storage facility should be reliably protected from rodents and fungal infections. It is important that when storing the crop, condensation does not form on the fruits.

During the winter months, the pumpkin is periodically checked and fruits with softened skin are discarded. This indicates that the pumpkin has begun to deteriorate.

Shelf life of pumpkin harvest

Growing various varieties pumpkin, you can constantly eat it and replenish your body with essential vitamins. To preserve the harvest, it is important to know not only the storage conditions, but also the timing.

The crop is stored the least early varieties pumpkins: Almond 35, Freckle, Gribovskaya bush. These fruits should be eaten first. The shelf life of such varieties is no more than a month. Further, the pulp loses its taste, and the seeds begin to germinate inside the fruit.

Middle and late muscat pumpkin varieties are stored well all winter, without loss taste qualities: Pearl, Nutmeg, Vitamin, Smile, Crumb. The average shelf life of the fruit reaches 5-6 months, after which the pulp loses its properties and becomes fibrous and tasteless.

Let's sum it up

It is necessary to harvest pumpkins from the garden correctly, taking into account not only the growing time, specifications fruit, but also weather conditions. In each specific region, the time for cleaning is adjusted according to these indicators.