Cucurbita pepo are a classic fall crop and are democratic all over the world , particularly in New Mexico . With its cheery days and meek temperature , the clime is an ideal surroundings for growing pumpkins in New Mexico .
The dry , warm Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in the summer and the coolheaded , crisp nights in the fall give the perfect combination of Sunday and warmth to help pumpkins grow to their entire potentiality . In New Mexico , pumpkin agriculturist can enjoy long , warm day and nerveless nights , perfect for their pumpkin to thrive .
Popular pumpkin varieties
choose the correct variety of pumpkin for your purposes and climate is an crucial step in growing pumpkin . If you hold up in a climate with a short growing season , you ’ll want to pick a variety that get on in under 100 days . These are some popular pumpkin diverseness and their close together days to harvest :
Please notice that the days to harvest may motley depending on raise conditions , so it ’s best to refer to the seed bundle or consult with a local gardening expert for more specific information .
When to plant pumpkins indoors in New Mexico
If you want to get a top dog embark on on your pumpkin crop or live in a region with a short growing season , starting yourpumpkin seeds indoorscan be a great alternative . in general speaking , you should purport to begin your pumpkin vine seeds indoors about 4 - 6 weeks before you project to graft them outdoors . This timing will give the seedling clock time to mature and modernize strong root system of rules , without becoming too large or root - ricochet . In New Mexico , you should implant your pumpkin seed indoors around :
To start your pumpkin seeds indoors , you ’ll need to gather some supplies , including seed - starting trays , seed - starting intermixture , and a arise light or sunny windowsill . Fill the semen - start trays with the seed - starting commixture , and plant one or two pumpkin seed per mobile phone , planting the ejaculate about 1 column inch deep .
commit the semen tray in a lovesome , undimmed location , and keep the dirt consistently moist . Once the come have germinated and developed their first set of true leave , you’re able to commence to fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer .
As the seedlings persist in to spring up , you may need to thin them out to one plant per cell to preclude overcrowding . It ’s also important to indurate off your seedlings before transplanting them alfresco , step by step queer them to outdoor conditions over the course of several days to avoid daze . With proper care and attention , your indoor - grown pumpkin seedling will be quick to transplant outdoors and proceed their growth into mature , beautiful autumn pumpkin .
When to transplant pumpkins outdoors
Once your pumpkin seedling have grown into sturdy plants and the weather has warm up , it ’s time to transpose them alfresco . Before transplant , it ’s important to ensure that the soil temperature is at least 60 ° F ( 15 ° C ) and that there is no longer a endangerment of rime . The last hoar date in New Mexico is :
To set your garden bed for autumn pumpkin starts , prefer a sunny location with well - drain soil . Add plenty of compost or well - waste manure to the soil , as pumpkins are heavy feeders and need lots of nutrient to thrive .
When planting your pumpkin vine starts , verify to space them about 3 - 5 feet aside , depend on the variety show . Dig a hole that is slimly magnanimous than the root nut of the seedling , and put the seedling into the fix , take a shit certain to forget it up to its first set of lawful farewell . This will advance the plant to break a strong stem arrangement and establish itself in the soil .
After planting , irrigate your Cucurbita pepo starts exhaustively and regularly , making certain to keep the ground consistently moist but not waterlogged . add up a stratum of mulch around the plants can aid retain wet and prevent weeds .
As the pumpkin vine plants continue to grow , you may need to provide extra support in the form of trellises or cages to keep the vine from straggle too far and taking up too much space . With proper care and attention , your autumn pumpkin startle will spring up into mature plants and make beautiful , healthy Cucurbita pepo just in time for the harvest season .
Caring for pumpkin plants
Once you ’ve planted your pumpkins outdoors , it ’s important to provide them with right care . Doing so will assist you get the most out of your pumpkin works and have an amazing harvest !
When to harvest pumpkins in New Mexico
Pumpkins are typically ready to harvest when they have reached their full size and the vine have go to dry out out . Here are some signal that your pumpkin vine are ready to be pick :
When harvest home pumpkins , it ’s important to expend crisp , sportsmanlike shears or a tongue to cut the stem turn about 2 inch ( 5 cm ) above the yield . deflect draw or twist the autumn pumpkin , which can damage the shank and make it more susceptible to moulder . After harvesting , store your pumpkin vine in a cool , ironic place with good atmosphere circulation to help them last longer .
