If the beautiful season is coming to an end, this is no reason for pumpkin gardeners to feel sad about saying goodbye. On the contrary, the pumpkin season begins with a time of joy about the successful cultivation. We'll tell you here what to do now.
When is pumpkin season and how do you keep it fresh for a long time?
The pumpkin season begins in late summer and ends in spring, depending on the variety and storage. To properly harvest and store pumpkins, look for signs of ripeness and store in cool, dry places. It is also possible to freeze pumpkin flesh.
Harvest correctly for a long pumpkin season
With a little luck, pumpkin season starts at the end of August. If the summer was warm and dry, the magnificent pumpkins are now shining at you. If you harvest at the right time, you will enjoy the fruits for a particularly long time.
How to determine harvest maturity:
- there are no more green spots on the shell
- during the knock test, the sound is dull and hollow from within
- the base of the stem is firm and dry
Cut the pumpkin with a sharp knife. Leaving a short piece of stem attached will extend the shelf life. If you allow the fruit to ripen for 2 to 3 weeks in a warm place, the harvest will be of top quality.
These tips will extend your pumpkin season
If the harvest was richer than the family could eat, pumpkin can definitely be stored until next spring. Giant winter squashes such as 'Pumpkin' or 'Hokkaido' are particularly recommended. Assuming they didn't turn into a lantern on Halloween. This is how it works perfectly:
- the storage area is cool and dry at 12 to 16 degrees Celsius
- the bowl and the base of the stem are intact
- the humidity is normal
- A well-ventilated cellar or storage room is ideal
If a pumpkin has already been cut, the leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week. Cling film prevents them from drying out. By the way, diced pulp is ideal for freezing. Beforehand, simply blanch briefly in hot water and let cool.
Tips & Tricks
The crucial weak point on the pumpkin is the contact surface on the ground. To ensure that the pumpkin season does not end prematurely because of rot, take precautions in good time. As soon as the fruit begins to grow, place the pumpkin on a Styrofoam or wooden base. This means the bowl is well protected from soil moisture and mold has no chance.
