Pumpkin Hokkaido

What Pumpkin Hokkaido is

Pumpkin Hokkaido is an annual vegetable of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It is very prolific and the pumpkins can reach a weight of 1 to 1.5 kg.

The fruit has a delicate orange skin that is eaten together with the flesh, which is equally richly coloured, aromatic, sweet and very tasty.

The pumpkin has a long shelf life and can be stored in a cool, dark place throughout the winter.

It contains extremely large amounts of carotenoids (provitamin A), much more than carrots, as well as vitamin C and B vitamins.

It can also be one of the decorations in autumn arrangements.

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: 89%
• Seeds per packet: 4–6 pcs (0.9 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: April; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Pumpkin Hokkaido

Pumpkin Hokkaido 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 Hokkaido

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

Pumpkin seeds should be sown under cover or directly in spring. Pumpkins need a warm summer to do well, and although they can be sown directly from mid-May to June, it is best to sow the seeds early and indoors from April to May, then plant them outside when the risk of frost has passed. It is sown in pots between March and April and planted outdoors in May, allowing at least 4 sq. m. of space per plant. It can be sown 2 cm deep when the soil is already warm. Sunny places that warm up quickly are recommended, with fertile, moist but not waterlogged, nor acidic, soil. For the biggest pumpkins, feed every week throughout the growing season with fertiliser. Always water the soil and avoid any form of overhead watering other than rain. They will grow bigger if you keep only one pumpkin per plant. Ripe fruits should be picked in early autumn. They are resistant to mechanical damage and store well. Pumpkins are cut with a few centimetres of stalk, after which they can be left to dry in the sun for a few days. It can be stored for months without spoiling.

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 Hokkaido be sown?

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

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 4–6 seeds, pack size 0.9 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 89%. 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.