Like all cucurbits, the Hokkaido pumpkin is very sensitive to cold. Therefore, both the seeds and the early young plants should only be brought outdoors after the Ice Saints - around mid-May. Pumpkin seeds should not be planted too early, otherwise the plants will become very large by the time they are planted out.
When is the best time for sowing Hokkaido?
The optimal time for sowing Hokkaido is around mid-May, after the Ice Saints. Plants can be grown either outdoors by direct sowing or by growing on the windowsill at home from mid to late March.
Which makes more sense: direct sowing or early sowing?
The experts disagree on this question. Some believe that plants sown directly are stronger, he althier and more resilient than plants sown earlier, while others believe that plants sown early bear fruit more quickly. It's not easy to answer who is actually right - you have to try it out for yourself. Which method is more successful depends primarily on the nature of the soil and the local climatic conditions. In northern Germany, for example, it generally makes more sense to prefer plants, while in southern Germany direct sowing shows better success.
Sow Hokkaido directly outdoors
To sow Hokkaido seeds directly outdoors, you should first dig the soil well, loosen it and fertilize it. It is best to add plenty of manure to the soil in the autumn before the planned sowing - this then has plenty of time to rot until spring and thus enrich the soil with nitrogen. Two to three seed cores are placed in a small depression about one centimeter deep and loosely covered with substrate. Always keep the bed moist, but not wet. You will see the first delicate tips after about one to two weeks, provided it is warm enough. If several seed kernels have appeared per seed hole, you must remove the excess plants as quickly as possible.
Prefer Hokkaido
Hokkaido can be enjoyed on your home windowsill from around mid to late March. To do this, place one or two seeds per plant pot (€12.00 on Amazon) in appropriate potting soil, whereby the seeds should be about one to two centimeters deep and loosely covered with soil. Spray the soil with room temperature, stale water and cover the pot with cling film. The pot should be in a warm, sunny place. The plants will germinate within one to two weeks and grow very quickly. From mid-May, the strong pumpkin plants can finally be planted outdoors.
This is what you need to grow your pumpkin plants
- Pumpkin seeds
- several plant pots
- Growing soil or nutrient-rich substrate
- Spray bottle with water
- Clear film and rubber band
Tips & Tricks
Pumpkin goes well with spring onions, vegetable onions, lettuce, corn and runner beans. On the other hand, it makes less sense to socialize with other pumpkin varieties, especially with ornamental pumpkins. Pumpkins are cross-pollinators and Hokkaido pumpkins pollinated with inedible ornamental pumpkins also become inedible.
