Harvesting pumpkin seeds at home. How to Get Your Own Pumpkin Seeds to Plant

Pumpkin is a universal product; almost all parts of the culture are eaten: stems, pulp, flowers, peel. But the seeds in it are the most useful. Even in ancient times, people used them in potions as a general tonic. It is worth noting that this part of the pumpkin is still used in many recipes for both prophylactic and therapeutic agents.

Vitamins and nutritional value of pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are very useful, they include:

1. All B vitamins.
2. vitamins E, A, C, D and K.
3. Vitamin PP is contained in the composition in the amount of 14.59 mg per 100 g, which equals 73% daily allowance for the body.
4. Manganese, iron, phosphorus, copper, calcium, selenium.
5. Magnesium in 100 g of the product is 592 mg, which is 148% of the daily requirement for an adult.

In addition, pumpkin seeds are an excellent antidepressant and antioxidant.

The harm and benefits of pumpkin seeds

The main medical value is retained by the pumpkin seeds, and not by the pulp. The benefits of seeds are as follows:

• improve digestion;
• relieve stress;
• considered a wound healing agent;
• reduce joint pain;
• lower cholesterol;
• considered an anti-inflammatory agent;
• normalize metabolic processes while slowing down cell aging;
• strengthen immunity;
• normalize blood pressure and improve performance;
• cleanse the body of toxins, while improving the composition of the blood;
• accelerates hair growth.

Harm

If you have health problems such as:

• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• obesity;
• diseases of the stomach and intestines in the acute stage.

Addition to dishes

Since pumpkin seeds have useful substances, they are used not only in pure form, but also as an addition to many dishes, especially vegetarian ones. Peeled and roasted, they are added to salads, vegetable stews, and sauces. Ground seeds are added to cereals, to homemade cakes.

How to choose pumpkin seeds and prepare for drying

Many gardeners harvest pumpkin seeds on their own. To obtain a quality product, it is necessary not only to collect the seeds correctly, but also to dry them.

Determining the maturity of a pumpkin

To correctly determine the maturity of a pumpkin, you need to know the main signs:

• the leaves on the lashes turned yellow and withered. But it is worth paying attention that the culture will have the same signs if it is infected with anthracosis;
• the second sign is a hard, stiff stalk, after this happens, it will not work to shift the fruit in a different way, since the integrity of the eyeliner can be damaged;
• if you try to scratch the peel of the pumpkin, then there should not be any traces of the nail on it, and with cotton, a ringing sound should be heard.

If the pumpkin is removed a little unripe, then it is worth putting it in a dark place for ripening, this will take about a month.

How to extract the seeds

The pumpkin is ripe, and you can extract the seeds from it:

• cut off the top so as not to damage the seeds;
• carefully, by hand, pull out the seeds with intertwined pulp into a large cup;
• then carefully remove the seeds into a separate container. Try not to deform the seeds.

Once the selection is over, you can proceed to the next step.

How to rinse seeds

• put the pumpkin seeds in a colander, put it under a powerful stream of cool water and mix gently;
• you need to rinse until they are no longer viscous and slippery;
• then transfer the seeds to paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Leave the seeds for a day so that excess moisture evaporates.

Initial drying - how to dry the seeds

The first step is to spread the seeds on a baking sheet or a clean cutting board and place them in the sun. 3-4 hours are enough for the seeds to become suitable for further processing.

About rot: which are suitable and which are not

It is easy to determine that the seeds are edible - they are plump, elastic when compressed. The pacifiers are flat, easy to squeeze and have a greenish tint.

How to dry pumpkin seeds at home

Temperature regime. How to dry pumpkin seeds? At what temperature?

As for the temperature regime, it depends on the method of drying:

• drying in a pan involves a temperature of 100-120 degrees. The seeds are constantly stirred so as not to burn;
• if the seeds are placed in an air grill, then 60 degrees is enough;
• in an electric dryer, the temperature is set at 80 degrees, but in this case it is important to set the baking sheet in the middle so that the product warms up from all sides.

Advantages and disadvantages of drying seeds in different ways:

In the oven

There are two ways to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven: set the first to the "frying" mode - 140-150 degrees, or to the "languishing" mode - 80-90 degrees.

In the first case, the seeds are laid out on a baking sheet, previously covered with parchment, in 1 layer and placed in the oven for 10-15 minutes. It is worth constantly checking the seeds so that they do not burn.

As soon as the seeds change color to light brown, remove the sheet, turn off the oven and place the baking sheet again for 15 minutes. Then cool at room temperature without sleeping.

With the second method, it will take more time, about 40-60 minutes.

in a frying pan

Using this method, you can prepare a spicy product, which is subsequently added to various dishes.

Pour some into a plastic cup olive oil, put the washed seeds in it and mix so that each seed is in oil, add salt, pepper, spices.

Heat the frying pan to 120 degrees and put the seeds in 1 layer. Fry for 20 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden brown.

When fully cooked, put the seeds on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

in the microwave

This is the simplest and fast way dry the pumpkin seeds. Cover a glass rotating plate from the microwave with paper towels, on which seeds are placed in 1 layer.

The microwave is turned on at maximum power for 2 minutes. As soon as the timer beeps characteristic sound, open the door, mix the seeds, and turn on for another 2 minutes, but only the power should be medium.

Ready seeds will have a dark color.

In air grill

It will take 30-40 minutes with maximum blowing power and a temperature of 70 degrees. It is worth not closing the lid completely, leave a small gap for the exit of moist air.

In an electric dryer

It will take a little to dry more than an hour. The seeds are laid out in one layer, while it is worth considering that the temperature at the top of the dryer and at the bottom may differ, so if 2 baking sheets are used, they are swapped every 15 minutes.

How to quickly dry pumpkin seeds

The fastest way to dry pumpkin seeds is to put them in the microwave, it only takes 5 minutes.

How to determine the readiness of dried seeds

If the seeds are dried properly, the shell will have a yellowish tint, with pronounced contours and dense to the touch. The transparent diaper can be easily removed. The kernel will acquire a greenish color with whitish streaks. When cracked, the seed should not have moisture.

How to store peeled pumpkin seeds for food in the apartment

The peeled seeds are stored in a linen bag in a dry, well-ventilated place. Storage in a glass jar, which is tightly closed, is allowed.

Do I need to wash shelled pumpkin seeds?

If you bought seeds in a supermarket, and you don’t know how high quality they are, then just put them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The fact is that if you start washing dried, peeled seeds, they can crumble.

How to quickly peel pumpkin seeds

There is one proven way:

• put the washed seeds into a saucepan with boiling water and cook for 10-15 minutes;
• drain in a colander, transfer to a paper towel to dry;
• place on a baking sheet lined with foil in 1 layer;
• put in the oven, heated to 180 degrees and fry for 10 minutes;
• take out the baking sheet, cool;
• cover the pumpkin seeds with a layer of paper or foil and gently tap with a wooden mallet. The fragile skin will crumble.

Storage of finished seeds

Ready, properly dried pumpkin seeds can be stored for a long time. They are placed in bags made of natural fabric, or paper bags and placed in a dark, ventilated place. Storage temperature should not exceed 16 degrees.

How to crack pumpkin seeds

1. If only for food, then you can do it with your teeth, like sunflower seeds click.
2. A well-dried product, it cracks well when you press the ribs of the seeds with your fingers.
3. You can use regular scissors.

Is it possible to get better from pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are very high in calories, so if you have a predisposition to be overweight, then by eating a large number of seeds daily, you can gain weight.

Why pumpkin seeds can make you sick

You can feel sick from pumpkin seeds if you have problems with the stomach or liver, when using this product in large quantities may exacerbate gastritis or peptic ulcer. For the same reason, the stomach can hurt.

pumpkin seeds for constipation

To relax the intestines, you need to pour 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds and pour them with a glass of boiling water - leave for 30 minutes. Drink half a cup in the morning on an empty stomach.

Finally

Pumpkin seeds - useful and delicious product, which is used in cooking and as a treat. Preparing seeds at home is not difficult if you strictly adhere to the drying technology.

Seeds for many are a reminder of childhood. They have incredible taste, as well as a special structure. It is characteristic that these seeds can occupy the hands no worse than the usual seeds, but at the same time they are much more useful for the body. They contain a large number of iron, which can prevent the occurrence of diseases of the circulatory system and heart. At first glance, it may seem that drying seeds at home is a troublesome and difficult task. But in reality, it will be enough to adhere to a number of simple recommendations, and any housewife can dry pumpkin seeds. Later in the article we will learn how to dry them, and also tell you how to store this healthy treat at home.

What are useful?

Pumpkin seeds are not only tasty, but also unusually useful product. As a raw material they are used to produce healing oils, they are also often found in “beauty recipes”, but they are most often used in cooking, as they are added to pastries, salads, prepared vegetarian dishes and, of course, eaten raw.

This product contains a large amount of minerals, there are also trace elements and protein compounds that are extremely useful for human body. Of particular value is the presence in the composition high rate vitamin E. This group of elements has a positive effect on the reproductive qualities of a person.

It is unacceptable to eat these seeds in such cases:

• the presence of individual intolerance to the product;
• the presence of an allergic reaction;
• a number of diseases of the liver, stomach and intestines.

Important! Children, pregnant women, and women during lactation are allowed to eat pumpkin seeds.

Despite the fact that the raw seeds are more useful, as they contain more high level nutrients, most often they are consumed in dried form. This is mainly due to the fact that they are quite difficult to clean.

In addition, an undried product quickly becomes unusable - it becomes moldy due to the high moisture content. Therefore, before laying the seeds for storage, they should be thoroughly dried. And in order not to damage this product, while retaining the maximum possible amount of useful substances, you need to follow the recommendations that will be offered later in the article.

Preparatory stage

You can harvest the seeds of any pumpkin: both domestic, grown in your garden, and wild, fodder. In terms of taste, the seeds of these varieties do not differ from each other, the difference can only be in size, since homemade pumpkin seeds are usually noticeably larger.

Grown or purchased, you need to cut it with a sharp knife into two parts, and then get all the insides, which are the place where the seeds are stored. The pumpkin pulp can then be used as a cooking ingredient different kind dishes, in particular, delicious compotes and juices are prepared from it.

We offer step by step description preparatory phase blanks pumpkin seeds:

Important! Pumpkin seeds are very high in calories: 100 grams of dry product contains about 550 kcal. And if you season the product with salt, spices or oil, then for losing weight such a cocktail will be extremely undesirable. Therefore, despite the usefulness of this delicacy, it is recommended to monitor the amount of its use.

Drying methods

Those who have never dried pumpkin seeds may find that in different sources described completely different methods. They use a frying pan, an oven, an electric dryer and even a microwave to achieve this goal. It should be understood that the drying method must be chosen based on the goal that is being pursued and the desired end result.

In general, at the end of any drying method, seeds should be ready to eat or use in cooking, which are still rich in nutrients and vitamins. Consider the most popular drying methods, as well as recommendations that should be followed to achieve the desired result.

Outdoors

This drying method requires free time and good weather conditions. It is necessary that hot and sunny weather is predicted for the next few days, because the humidity will increase the likelihood of mold or rotting of the product.

The process is the following:

1. Seeds are separated from the pulp, then washed and salted.
2. Next, you need to pour boiling water into a deep container, add salt there at the rate of 10 g per 70 ml of water. Put pumpkin seeds into this solution and leave them in this form for 10-25 hours. This processing step will give the product an unusually rich salty taste. If this goal is not pursued, then this step can be skipped.
3. The product should be removed from a kind of brine, rinsed under running water(not for long so that the salt is not completely washed out) and then proceed to drying.
4. any convenient horizontal surface cover with paper towels, foil or baking paper. Suitable tray, baking tray and even cutting board. In extreme cases, you can use several large plates. It is important to lay the seeds on the surface as much as possible. thin layer. All this must be put under direct sunlight and left in this form for two to three days.
5. You can understand that the product is ready by its shell. Seeds should be hard and at the same time brittle, easily cracked by hand. If, after the specified time period, the seeds have not dried, you need to increase the duration of drying.

in a frying pan

A very popular method of drying pumpkin seeds is to use a frying pan. How to fry pumpkin seeds in a pan without damaging the product, we will tell further:

In the oven

There are two main methods for roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven. Each of them will be considered in more detail below.

1 way.

2 way.

1. It is suitable for those whose oven does not provide for the adjustment of modes, but warms up evenly. Turn it on and heat up to 200°C.
2. Meanwhile, a baking sheet is lined with foil or baking paper, pumpkin seeds are laid out on top in one thin layer.
3. The product is sent to a preheated oven, the fire at this time must be reduced to a minimum. It takes about 30 minutes to dry the seeds in this form, all the time monitoring the readiness of the product and stirring the composition every 7-10 minutes.
4. After the grains become slightly brownish, you need to check them again. If they are ready, then you can get it. If the seeds are not hard enough, then the oven must be turned off, and the product should be placed in it for about 10-15 minutes.

Did you know? pumpkin seeds in small quantities useful for women during pregnancy. They are able to relieve stress and tension, and also save a weakened body from toxicosis.

In an electric dryer

You can also use an electric dryer to dry pumpkin seeds. In general, the process is very similar to drying in the oven, with the exception of a number of important nuances.

1. Seeds need to be distributed in containers in one thin layer.
2. Drying should be set to heat up to a temperature of 70-80 ° C.
3. Drying will take several hours. Exact time it is difficult to specify, since much depends on the characteristics of various electric dryers.
4. In the process of preparing the grains, it is necessary to periodically mix the composition, as well as swap the pallets themselves (at least once an hour).
5. Readiness is determined by the formation of a dark shade on the shell of the seeds. They should also become hard and dry.

In the microwave

Many are interested in how to fry pumpkin seeds in the microwave. It is worth noting that this method not classical, but still possible.

So we will tell you how to implement it as efficiently as possible, based on the recommendations of experienced housewives:

1. After washing the seeds, you need to lay them out on a flat surface and let them dry for several days so that all excess moisture evaporates.
2. Then it should be taken from microwave oven glass plate that rotates and line the bottom of the oven with baking paper, thus protecting the substrate.
3. On a paper surface, you need to lay out the pumpkin seeds in a thin even layer, then set the plate in place and turn on the microwave at maximum power. The timer should be set to 2 minutes.
4. After two minutes, the grains should be mixed, leveled and microwaved again for 2 minutes. But now the power of the device should not be maximum, but average.
5. Further, the manipulations must be repeated until the desired level of drying of the seeds is reached.
6. As a result, the product should darken and become more rigid. All that remains is to cool the grains, peel them and use them as a snack, or as an ingredient for salads and second courses.

In an electric grill

Drying pumpkin seeds in an electric grill has recently begun to be used, because this device is usually used for cooking other dishes.

However, using a special pallet, you can quite successfully dry grains in it:

1. After the product is thoroughly washed and dried, it is necessary to spread it on the surface of the container in a uniform thin layer and set the temperature level to 60 ° C. The drying time of the seeds is from 20 to 30 minutes.
2. It should be remembered that the device provides for the operation of a fan, and this only enhances the power of the heat treatment of the product. In this regard, it is very important to constantly monitor the readiness of the grains and not leave them unattended, otherwise they can burn out.
3. Ready pumpkin seeds will take on a brownish color and, after cooling, can be used to prepare various kinds of dishes or used as an independent snack.

How to determine readiness

Determining the readiness of a product dried by any method is quite simple. Seeds acquire a yellowish and even slightly brownish hue, the peel becomes more fragile, which makes it easy to clean it and remove the inner nucleolus.

The seed itself seems to be “losing weight”, that is, the contour of the inner core becomes clear and easily distinguishable. The nucleolus, which is eaten, acquires a rich green color with white thin veins. The structure should be soft and velvety, the taste rich and pleasant.

How to store at home

After the pumpkin seeds are completely ready, you will need to get them out and put them on a cold baking sheet, tray or other flat container. You can even pour the product onto the table by laying baking paper on it in advance. When the grains are completely cool, you can begin to organize the storage of this product.

• the storage place should be dark and dry;
• the container in which the grains will be stored must be glass or ceramic;
Write in the comments what questions you did not receive an answer to, we will definitely respond!

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Most of us are aware of the health benefits of pumpkin. But not everyone loves to eat it, despite the fact that it is just a storehouse of vitamins!

Those who love pumpkin very much or just want to join a healthy diet by starting to grow it on their own personal plot, and the article will be addressed.

How to prepare pumpkin seeds for planting

Many gardeners leave the seeds of the eaten pumpkin for sowing in order to grow seedlings from them, and then get fruits in the garden. can seeds different varieties buy pumpkins in specialized gardening centers.

In any case, before planting the seeds of this plant, you need to sort them. The largest seeds are subject to selection, and thin and small ones are sent to marriage.

Planting pumpkin seeds immediately in the ground or in a special peat tablet most often not produced. It is recommended to begin with a few days to devote to the germination of seeds, which can then be planted.

For soaking, the seeds can be placed in warm water (with a temperature of about 50 degrees) for a couple of hours, and then wrapped in a damp cloth and put in a warm place. In this state, the seeds must be kept until they are pecked, constantly keeping the fabric moist.

Soaking seeds is necessary in order to:

• their germination occurred faster;
• seeds were less exposed to pests, as they lose their attractive taste when soaked.

Advanced gardeners know that hatched pumpkin seeds need to be hardened off.

This is especially true for those plant varieties that grow better in the southern regions, but I want to grow them in cooler conditions.

Hardening is as follows:

• sprouted pumpkin seeds are left in a damp cloth for 3-5 days, placing them, for example, in a vegetable drawer at the bottom of the refrigerator;
• germination is carried out with a temperature difference: from about 8 to 10 hours a day, the temperature is kept at + 18-20 degrees, and then from 12 to 14 hours the temperature is reduced to + 1-2 degrees.

Growing seedlings

If for growing seedlings you use ordinary room conditions, then you need to place the germinated seeds in bright light, best of all on the windowsills of windows facing south. If possible, things will go even faster if you use special greenhouses, greenhouses or nurseries.

1. Since the transplant pumpkin does not tolerate well, it is better to immediately plant the germinated seeds in peat pots. Suitable size for pumpkin seeds of such pots - 10x10x10 cm.
2. You can make pots out of paper, and fill the soil inside. It will then be convenient to extract seedlings from such pots without damaging the roots.
3. If you prefer to use seed boxes for growing seedlings, then before filling them with peat soil, pour a layer of sawdust about 4 cm thick on the bottom.

Planting pumpkin seeds, previously germinated in moist tissue, is recommended approximately 20-22 days before the planned transplanting of seedlings into the ground. During this time, the seedlings usually have time to get stronger.

In order for the seedlings to turn out strong, you need to follow some recommendations:

• In the first couple of days, it will be necessary to provide crops with a temperature of + 18-25 degrees during the day, and lower it to + 15-18 degrees at night.
• When shoots appear, it will be necessary to monitor the temperature again: for the first six days during the day it should be at the level of + 15-18 degrees, and at night + 12-13 degrees. This is necessary so that the seedlings do not stretch.
• After such drops in the first week and a half, you can already place crops in a room with a temperature of + 18-22 degrees. But at night it is still desirable to reduce it to + 13-15 degrees.

Watering and feeding

Pumpkin seedlings should be watered with a moderate amount of water, but regularly. Overdrying of the soil is best avoided. Subject to a temperature of + 18-22 degrees and optimal humidity ground shoots grow strong, and if the soil is too wet, the shoots are pulled out.

Already seven days after the emergence of seedlings, seedlings can and should be fed with fertilizers. It is better to choose a mullein solution for this. But in case of its absence, a fertilizer such as nitrophoska is suitable, which is diluted in a proportion of 15 grams per 10 liters of water.

If you do everything right, pumpkin seedlings will have low and strong stems, internodes will be short, and by the time of planting, each plant should already have two or three well-developed dark green leaves.

When the threat of frost has passed, seedlings can be planted on permanent place in the garden. Plant it in pre-prepared holes that need to be shed warm water.

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Consider planting a pumpkin in open ground step by step.

What kind of seeds you throw into the ground - such a harvest you will get

Pumpkin seeds should be checked for germination before planting. To determine germination, as many seeds are selected as it is not a pity, and they are germinated. The more seeds were taken, the more accurate the germination percentage will be. If out of 18-20 seeds 15-16 sprouted, then the germination rate is 80%.

To prevent the development of fungal diseases, the seeds are etched in a bright red solution of potassium permanganate (1 g n 100 ml of water) for no more than half an hour.

Pumpkin - planting and care

Pumpkin is planted in two ways:

• seedlings;
• seeds in open ground.

Planting pumpkin seedlings

Let's consider the first method in more detail. So, we know the percentage of germination. Now you need to germinate the seeds. To do this, put a piece of gauze in a cup, moisten it with plenty of water and lay out the seeds. It is advisable to put the cup in a warm place, but not near the stove or radiator. From excessive heat, the seeds will boil, without even having time to peck.

While the seeds germinate, it's time to start preparing the pots and soil mixture. You can take disposable cups, carton boxes from under ryazhenka and kefir, plastic bottles.

The bottom and top of the bottles are cut off, cut into pieces 7 cm high and placed on a pallet. Old plates and containers from detergent Palmyra.

Why are the bottoms of bottles cut off? root system a pumpkin is as fragile as a cucumber. Plants of the gourd family do not tolerate transplanting well, unlike tomato. And planting pumpkin seedlings in a container without a bottom prevents the roots from injury.

For the preparation of a light, breathable soil mixture, peat, sod land and humus are mixed in a ratio of 1:1:2. In the prepared container, pour the earth halfway.

Three days later, the beaked seeds are sown with their beak down into the ground, deepening by 5 cm. We put the container with the seeds in a sunny place. In a few days, the first sprouts will appear from the ground, which, at the age of 10-12 days, are carefully laid in a spiral and covered with prepared soil to the cotyledon leaves.

Do not forget to push the pots apart so that the leaves of the seedlings do not close, otherwise the more developed plants will not let the sun's rays through to the rest.

We plant seedlings. A place for growing pumpkins is chosen sunny and protected from the winds. It is very difficult to get a good harvest in the shade. The best predecessors are potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots and corn. Pumpkins are returned to their original place after 4 years. You need to prepare the soil in advance. Since autumn, they have been digging up the earth and adding about 5 kg of compost.

In mid-May, when the threat of morning frost has already passed, pumpkin seedlings at the age of three true leaves are planted outside. Before planting a pumpkin in open ground, seedlings are hardened, as young plants can die already at -1 0C. To do this, during the week, the plants are placed in a cool room, for example, in a corridor or veranda. During the day they take out the sun and the breeze.

Pumpkin has a powerful root system. The feeding area for each plant should be at least 1.5x2 m2. The pumpkin is planted according to the scheme 1x1.5 m2 - one meter between the holes and one and a half between the rows. Holes are made in the ground with a diameter of about 50 cm. Before planting a pumpkin, the holes are shed with warm water. Pumpkin seedlings are planted in bottomless pots to a depth of 5 cm, carefully removing the pallet. This planting method protects the roots from the bear.

Planting pumpkins in open ground with seeds

Now let's take a step-by-step look at the second method - growing pumpkins in open field seeds. In early May, the seeds are sown in the ground according to the scheme 1x1.5 m. The holes are shed with warm water and 3-5 seeds are sown. Seeds can be sown on different depth. If at return frosts some of the seedlings will die, then the remaining seeds will sprout and produce a crop.

When planting pumpkins with seeds, the embedding depth should not be less than 8-10 cm. When planted shallowly, the sprouts sprout "in a shirt", that is, together with the seed coat. Birds pull out young sprouts, mistaking them for seeds.

Of all the seedlings, the most developed plant is chosen, the rest are simply plucked. It is plucked, not pulled out. The pumpkin root system develops very quickly both in depth and in breadth. The roots of the seedlings are intertwined. Pulling out weaker shoots can damage the roots of well-developed plants.

top dressing

When growing pumpkins in open ground, until the foliage closes, the plants are regularly loosened and watered. Apply liquid organic or mineral top dressing, but not earlier than 10 days after transplanting pumpkin seedlings to a permanent place.

Suitable as organic chicken manure and cow. Chicken manure is poured with water at a temperature of 40 0, stirred until a creamy mass is formed and infused until bubbles appear. It is not recommended to insist longer, otherwise the benefits of fertilizer will be less.

The finished infusion is diluted in water in a ratio of 1:20, that is, half a liter per bucket of water. First, the wells are shed with water so that the solution of chicken manure does not burn the roots of the pumpkin. Mullein infusion is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10.

For mineral supplement take Matchbox ammonium nitrate to a bucket of water.

Pumpkin pests and methods of control

The main pests of all melons and gourds:

• melon aphid;
• bear;
• slugs.

melon aphid - small insect damaging above-ground part plants. The insect sucks the juice from the shoots and flowers. The leaves wrinkle, the ovaries crumble. Helps well against aphids soap solution. in a bucket warm water stir 100 g grated on a coarse grater laundry soap and spray the plants.

Medvedka makes moves in the soil and gnaws the stems and roots of plants. In each well, when planting, you need to put a few granules of the drug Medvedox. You can put boiled grain mixed with Bankol into the holes.

Slugs cause significant damage to the main young plants. Their invasion during the rainy period is massive. During the season, several generations of slugs develop. If there are a lot of slugs on the site, then lay out wet rags and every morning the insects are robbed from them.

Pumpkin formation, collection and storage

The pumpkin forms many shoots, which is why it needs to be formed. On the main stem, after setting 2-3 fruits, 5 leaves are counted from the last one and a pinch is made. On the side shoots after the first ovary, 5 leaves are also counted and pinched. Do not turn the whips over, but sprinkle them with earth. In places of contact with the soil, roots begin to develop at the whip, which additionally nourish the plant. If you do not form a plant, then many small fruits are formed that do not have time to ripen. Boards are placed under large late-ripening pumpkins to prevent fruit rotting.

At the end of autumn, they start harvesting. Pumpkins, along with the cuttings, are harvested before the onset of frost, in dry weather. Compliance with the technology of growing pumpkin allows you to get delicious ripened fruits with high nutritional value. They are left to dry outside under a canopy, after which they are transferred to a well-ventilated area. Store the pumpkin at + 7-10 0C. Well-ripened fruits can lie until spring.

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How to grow a pumpkin. How to plant seedlings? How to care, fertilize, feed, water? When to harvest? (10+)

Pumpkin farming: from seeds to fruits

Growing pumpkin in different climatic conditions has its own characteristics. So down south where mild winters and heat comes earlier than anywhere else, the cultivation of this vegetable can be started right from planting in open ground. In the northern part and in the conditions of the middle zone, pumpkin seeds are initially planted in closed ground to get seedlings, and then into the soil. In order for the seeds to germinate as quickly as possible, it is recommended to soak or germinate them before planting.

Growing seedlings

The most favorable period for sowing pumpkin seeds for seedlings is the third decade of April - the first decade of May. The temperature regime at which the seeds begin to sprout is about 10 degrees Celsius, and at a mark of 25-30 during the day and 18-20 at night, the seeds receive best conditions for growth. Dive seating pumpkin is not required.

To grow seedlings, you will need pots with a diameter of 14-15 cm. At the time of planting the seeds, the pot is only half covered with earth. After two weeks, moist soil is poured into the pot, while the seedlings are banded. This process means laying the stem with a corkscrew so that only the cotyledon leaves remain on the surface of the soil.

Twice it is recommended to feed the seedlings. As a top dressing, it is better to choose mineral fertilizers. Important condition- the leaves of the seedlings should not have contact with each other, therefore, as they grow, it is required to move the pots apart. As soon as the seedlings have 4-5 leaves, they can be planted in open ground.

Planting seedlings in the ground

Seedlings ripen within 25-35 days, and already at the end of May-the first week of June, they are ready for transplanting into open ground. If planting a pumpkin does not provide for seedlings, then in this case, 2-3 grains are laid in the soil and a shelter is made. After the appearance of the leaves, choose the most strong plant and the rest are removed.

Landing pattern

Pumpkin is a plant that requires large area to receive good harvest. When landing, you must adhere to the following parameters: 1-1.5 meters between plants, and 2 meters between rows. For planting, a hole is made 8-10 cm deep. The pumpkin loves the sun, so the landing site should be dry and sunny. As an option - compost heap, but previously fertilized with ash and superphosphate. In about a week, we prepare seedlings for open ground: we reduce the temperature to 15-17 degrees during the day and 12-15 at night.

Before planting, it is better to fertilize the soil: add 1.5-2 kg of compost to each recess and pour warm water well, approximately 1-2 liters of water goes into one hole. Place the seedlings in the prepared "house", and sprinkle with dry earth. Seedlings grown in peat peas can be planted with it. The first ten days, the seating should be covered, for example, with plastic cans.

How to properly water a pumpkin

Pumpkin has a fairly good branched system, the roots of which can go up to 3 meters deep. Watering is done moderately in an annular groove around the stem. If watering is not enough, the roots will get moisture from deep layers of the soil. As soon as the ovary reaches a size that is comparable to a fist, we transfer ordinary watering to drip.

Fertilizer and top dressing of the growing fruit

As soon as the plant acquires a lush "hair", feeding should be done regularly after 7-10 days. You should not stop at one thing, the plant needs both mineral and organic trace elements.

The first top dressing will be organic from wood ash and superphosphate based on the manure mixture. The second subcortex is mineral: saltpeter, superphosphate and potassium salt. After, they alternate. Since the pumpkin has many shoots, in order to form a juicy fruit, it is necessary to properly pinch the fruitful ones and remove unnecessary shoots. The main stem is pinched when there are already 2-3 fruits on it, and the other two side branches are also left. We delete the rest. To protect from the wind, the loops are pinched or fixed with moist soil. If the goal is to grow a huge pumpkin, then all other ovaries are removed, leaving the healthiest and most mature.

The main diseases of pumpkin

Among the most common diseases, you should know the following:

• powdery mildew, which first covers the leaves with powdery spots, and then the stems. Over time, the leaves turn yellow and fall off;
• olive spotting is characterized by the appearance of sores on the stems of the plant, and brown spots on the leaves. Oily spots appear on the fruits themselves, in which spores of the fungus ripen over time. The edges of the affected area have a gelatinous fluid. If the disease takes possession of the ovary, then it will certainly die;
• slugs.

Harvesting

The crop ripens within 3 months after germination, and late varieties removed after 120-150 calendar days. Harvesting the autumn vegetable begins immediately after the first frost. It is important to cut the fruit sharp knife, retreating 3-4 cm from the stem. So harvested crop last much longer and doesn't lose a lot of beneficial vitamins.

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Growing pumpkins outdoors | My courtyard

Today we will talk about growing pumpkins in the open field, because it is a popular vegetable among summer residents and gardeners. Pumpkin contains a large number of trace elements and vitamins. Moreover, both seeds and pulp are valued in it. If you want to grow a pumpkin in your area, regardless of the region of residence, then it will be enough to make not so much effort.

Soil preparation for planting

As with the landing of many garden plants First of all, you need to prepare the ground. Pumpkin loves well-lit and sun-warmed areas. The southern slopes are better suited for planting. Regarding the composition of the soil: the most preferred are sandy soils, light loamy neutral with a sufficient amount of organic fertilizers. After the crop of previous crops is harvested from the site, the soil is dug up to a depth of 30 cm and manure or compost is applied per 1 m². In addition, about 30 g of phosphoric and up to 20 g potash fertilizers. If interested, you can find out about composting in more detail. Immediately before planting pumpkin seeds in open ground, the soil is again dug up to a depth of 15 cm and fertilizers are applied, which are used as ammonium sulfate (20 g), superphosphate (15 g) and about 12 g of potassium salt per 1 m². If planting is done on poor soils, then the following should be added to each hole: 2 tbsp. wood ash, up to 3 buckets of organic fertilizers and 50 g of superphosphate. All components are mixed to a depth of 20 cm.

How to plant a pumpkin in open ground

pumpkin can be grown seedling way or direct planting of seeds in open ground, which depends on the region of cultivation and variety. Pumpkin seeds are planted in open ground, usually in late May - early June. Since the plant is heat-loving, then if the soil is not warm enough (at least +15 ° C), the seeds simply will not be able to sprout. In addition, it is necessary to prepare the seeds themselves. To do this, they are heated for 9 hours at a temperature of +40 °C. After that, they need to be wrapped in wet gauze for 12 hours. At the same time, the gauze must be constantly moistened for the indicated time. The wetting solution consists of 2 tablespoons of ash per 1 liter of boiling water. Planting pumpkin seeds in open ground can be done after they swell and germinate. With regards to warming the soil has already been said. In areas that have been prepared in advance, holes are made. Their size depends on the type of soil: light soils - 8-10 cm deep, loam - 5-6 cm. 2-3 seeds are placed in each well, and not all in one pile, but separately. When planting, the following scheme should be followed: the distance between rows should be 2 m, between plants 1 m. Alternatively, you can grow a pumpkin in a checkerboard pattern.

To stimulate plant growth, the area is covered with polyethylene. Basically, the pumpkin sprouts a week after planting. As soon as shoots appear, you need to leave the strongest sprout in the case of planting large-fruited pumpkins and a couple when growing nutmeg or hard bark. In the latter case, with the development of plants up to 4-5 leaves, the weaker sprout must be plucked. In order for the seedlings to have room to develop, the film should be raised.

How to care for a pumpkin

If in the middle lane the summer turned out to be cold, then the process of formation and ripening of fruits must be accelerated artificially. To do this, you will need to cut off the shoots of the plant, leaving a maximum of three. After the main stem is formed, it is pinched and no more than five ovaries with a diameter of 15-17 cm are left. If you want to grow large pumpkins on a bush, you need to leave no more than 3 ovaries for bush varieties and no more than 2 for climbing. In addition, it is necessary to pinch the stem 6-7 leaves after the last fruit. However, it is worth knowing and remembering that best taste have pumpkins of medium size. Pollination - this process needs to be paid attention. In the absence of male flowers for pollination, you can take, for example, zucchini. Growing zucchini devoted to a separate article. After fruit enlargement, leaves should be removed to provide better access to the sun. Basically, pumpkin harvesting begins when the first frost appears. The hardened skin indicates that the fruit is ripe. The maturity of the fruit can be determined in a simple way by pressing the skin with a fingernail - if it is not possible to push through, then you can start harvesting. Fruits are stored for the longest time without damage at a temperature of not more than + 8 ° C.

How to water and what to feed

When growing pumpkin in open ground, drought must be prevented. Watering should be plentiful. The point is that the pumpkin big leaves and a large amount of moisture evaporates. It is necessary to water the pumpkin from the emergence of seedlings and up to flowering. Moisture is also needed during the period of intensive fruit growth. In order for the fruits to be better tied, the number of waterings is reduced. Now as for top dressing. Pumpkins are good for organic and mineral fertilizers. The first feeding is done three weeks after sowing the seeds. As a fertilizer, you can use slurry or chicken manure, which are diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 4. More frequent feeding will accelerate growth and fruiting. Can also be used for dressing wood ash- 1 tbsp. for 10 liters of water. That's actually the whole process of growing pumpkins in the open field and caring for it.

In addition, I suggest looking interesting video about pinching a pumpkin

Pumpkin seeds are very tasty and healthy. They contain a lot of calcium, which has a beneficial effect on the skin, teeth and nails. Also, the composition of the seeds of this vegetable includes substances that allow you to deal with male sexual diseases at an early stage. The maximum concentration of nutrients is contained in the raw product, but it will not be possible to store such seeds for a long time, as they begin to quickly rot and deteriorate. The best way keep the seeds long time- dry them.

Of course, ready-made dry seeds can be bought at any store, but a product prepared on your own will bring much more benefit to the body, since the drying process will be completely controlled by you. We will talk in detail in this article about how to properly dry pumpkin seeds at home.

The variety of pumpkin when harvesting seeds does not matter. You can use both table and fodder varieties.

Cutting the pumpkin in half reveals the seed chamber. Seeds are located in a heap, and not throughout the pulp, as, for example, in a watermelon, so their collection is not difficult.

To dry the seeds from excess moisture, they are laid out on paper towels and blotted with a napkin. It is best to leave them like this for a couple of hours, and then proceed directly to drying.

Watch the video from the AllrecipesRU channel - How to remove pumpkin seeds and prepare them for further drying

How to dry pumpkin seeds

On air

To do this, the raw materials are laid out in one layer on trays or flat plates lined with clean paper. Newspaper sheets for drying are not suitable, as printing ink is very toxic.

The container with seeds should be placed in a dry, warm and well-ventilated place. To protect the product from settling dust and insects, pallets can be covered with gauze.

Natural drying is quite long in time and takes approximately 15 to 20 days.

In the oven

Drying in the oven takes much less time. Moreover, drying with this unit can be done in two ways:

• Clean seeds are laid out on a baking sheet in one layer and placed in a cabinet heated to 60 - 80 degrees. To prevent them from burning, the contents of the pan should be stirred every 30 minutes. The door is kept ajar. Drying time varies depending on the size of the seeds, but the average is 1 - 1.5 hours.
• The express method of drying in the oven takes only 20 minutes. Seeds at the same time are exposed to elevated temperatures up to 180 degrees.

Watch the video from the channel "Culinary News and Recipes" - Pumpkin seeds in the oven

in a frying pan

Drying pumpkin seeds in a pan will take no more than 15 minutes. This process requires your constant presence, as it requires constant mixing of the product. Dry the seeds should be on medium heat.

In an electric dryer for vegetables and fruits

Pumpkin seeds fill the lattice with an ordinary layer. The temperature regime is set at 60 - 70 degrees. For uniform drying, pallets are periodically rearranged. If a this moment miss, then the seeds on the lower tiers will burn, and the upper ones will remain raw.

in the microwave

On a flat plate covered with a paper towel, lay out a small portion of the seeds and send it to the microwave. Seeds dry out in 2 minutes at maximum power unit. If this time is not enough, then the procedure is extended for another 1 minute.

Watch the video from the Kuhmister channel - How to quickly fry pumpkin seeds in the microwave

In air grill

Drying in the air grill lasts 30 - 40 minutes. The blower power is set to maximum, and the heating temperature is 60 - 70 degrees. To ensure good ventilation, the lid of the unit is left slightly ajar. If this is not done, then the moist air will have nowhere to go, and the seeds will remain moist.

How do you know if the seeds are dry?

Properly dried seeds acquire a yellowish color, the peel becomes dense with a clear contour. Be sure to slide off the transparent film easily from the seeds. The color of the core is dark green with whitish patches. If you bite the seed, then it should not be wet or crunchy from overdrying.

How to store dried pumpkin seeds

Store dry seeds in a dark, dry place. Storage containers can be canvas bags or glass jars with tight lid. The shelf life of seeds is 1 year.

Most gardeners and supporters healthy eating long known about nutritional value and wonderful palatability pumpkins. However, to meet sunny vegetable not possible in every garden. Some are stopped by the lack of agrotechnical knowledge on growing this crop. Others simply do not have enough seating space. After all, sprawling bushes and long prickly lashes strive to occupy neighboring beds.

However, such arguments do not hold water if you really want to provide your family with a whole storehouse of useful vitamins and minerals. Besides, what could be tastier than pumpkin soup or a vegetable baked in the oven? One has only to try once, and you will immediately become an avid pumpkin grower.

• Remember that pumpkin is a cross-pollination crop. Therefore, in order to obtain seeds with stable varietal characteristics, plants must be grown at a considerable distance from other related vegetables (cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and others). The interval must be at least 500 meters. If such spatial isolation is not possible, carry out hand pollination and then cover the flower with a cap.
• For reproduction, choose only complete, and not hybrid varieties. Plants grown from seeds marked F1 on the package will never produce quality planting material. Pumpkins grown from it with a very high probability will no longer correspond to the declared varietal characteristics.
• For ease of care, try to plant seed plants separately from the rest of the representatives of the variety, since they require special agricultural technology - more rare watering and top dressing. This will reduce the growing season and achieve fruit ripening directly on the plant, without additional ripening. Seeds ripened directly on the bush are better adapted to the local microclimate and soils, more resistant to diseases.
• When harvesting seeds, always choose the ripest, healthiest pumpkin from the strongest plant. In addition, the fruit in its shape, size, color and taste characteristics must fully comply with varietal characteristics.

Seed harvesting technology

The process of obtaining pumpkin seeds is very simple. It consists of several main steps.

• Choose the ripest, largest and sweet pumpkin, which is cut convenient way(divided into two halves or removed upper part fetus).
• The seeds, along with the amniotic pulp, are removed from the core with a spoon, and then thoroughly cleaned and washed with warm or cool water in a colander.
• For pre-drying, the seeds are placed in one layer on a paper towel or thin cloth with good absorbency. At this stage, a final revision is carried out, removing debris, as well as diseased and damaged specimens.
• For final drying, it is recommended to place the seeds on baking paper, stirring them occasionally to avoid mold.
• It is best to dry the seeds in vivo i.e. at room temperature and low humidity. This process takes about a month. The most impatient can use a low heat oven (3-4 hours) or a dehydrator (1-2 hours). However, such drying methods significantly reduce the quality of seeds, since the probability of overheating is too high.
• If you are harvesting seeds for food purposes, then it would be better to fry them immediately in the oven or in a hot frying pan.

How to store seeds properly?

Properly grown and harvested seeds also need to be properly stored so that they do not lose their germination capacity until the next season.