Pumpkin Danka Polka

Pumpkin Danka Polka — variety description

Pumpkin Danka Polka (Cucurbita pepo) is an annual vegetable of the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). A mid-early table variety, medium-sized plant.

The flesh is of medium density, and it is also one of the most productive varieties for seed production.

The fruits are rounded and smooth, weighing 2.5-3.5 kg.

The colour of the ripe pumpkin is orange-green with a marbled pattern.

The skin is of medium thickness.

The pumpkin is the symbol of the autumn garden — for roasting, pies, soups, purées and long winter storage. Besides edible ones, there are also ornamental varieties for decoration.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 86%
• Seeds per packet: 8–12 pcs (2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: April; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Pumpkin Danka Polka

Pumpkin Danka Polka seeds are sown in April. Harvest takes place in October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Pumpkin Danka Polka

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 3–4 cm
• Spacing: 1–2 m
• Germination: 5–10 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow the seeds outdoors in the first or second week of May at a spacing of 1.5x1.5 m, 2-3 seeds per hill, at a depth of 3-4 cm. You can also grow seedlings in pots, sowing them in late April and transplanting them to their permanent position in mid-May. Thrives best in fertile, moist soil.

Sow directly into warm soil (above 15 °C) at 2–3 seeds per hill, or plant transplants at 3–4 weeks. The pumpkin likes rich, fertilised soil and generous watering when the fruit sets.

Harvest and use

Harvest when the stalk dries and the skin cannot be dented by a fingernail. Leave pumpkins in the sun for 1–2 weeks to “cure” before storing.

Frequently asked questions

When should Pumpkin Danka Polka be sown?

The recommended sowing month is April. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 8–12 seeds, pack size 2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 86%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How long does a pumpkin keep?

Well-ripened pumpkins with the whole stalk keep for 3–6 months in a dry, cool place (10–15 °C).

When is pumpkin sown?

Directly outdoors after the last frosts — late April and May; for an earlier harvest, transplants from early April.