When is the best time to plant gourds?
SummaryThe planting time for gourds is generally around March to April in spring. The climate at this time is more suitable for gourd growth. You can choose a plot with loose soil, sufficient fertility, and good drainage and irrigation for planting. Gourd seeds will germinate at around 20°C. It is better if the previous crop is corn, wheat, and other such crops, and continuous cropping with cucurbit crops such as watermelon must not be carried out.
I. Gourd Planting Time
Gourd seeds will germinate and grow when the temperature is kept at around 20°C, so the planting time each year should not be too early. You can choose to plant around March to April in spring. The climate at this time is relatively suitable for gourd growth. When planting, choose a place with fertile, loose soil, sufficient sunlight, and good drainage.
II. Gourd Planting Methods
1. Land selection and land preparation
(1) The planting land should be selected as a plot with loose soil, sufficient fertility, and good drainage and irrigation. It must not be planted on hillsides or low-lying sections. It is best if the previous crop was grain crops such as corn and wheat, and during this period, continuous cropping with cucurbit crops such as watermelon must not be carried out.
(2) It also must not be planted in plots where herbicide residues remain in the soil. After selecting the plot, carry out plowing and land preparation, which can eliminate pathogens in the soil and help promote gourd growth. During land preparation, make long open furrows to facilitate later weeding.
2. Seed soaking and germination promotion
(1) Soak the seeds in warm water at 45°C. After waiting 1 day, remove them, wrap them with gauze, and after draining the water, prepare 1 germination basin, put sterilized sawdust into the basin, and place 1 layer of separating cloth on top.
(2) Put the seeds into the basin, cover them with a dry towel and cotton quilt to keep them warm and promote germination. During this period, drip a small amount of water every day and keep the temperature at around 25°C.
3. Sowing and raising seedlings
(1) While promoting germination, prepare a seedling bed. Spread a small amount of grass material and farmyard manure on the bottom of the seedling bed, spread a layer of soil on top, press it lightly, and then use dexon to disinfect it.
(2) Put the prepared nutrient soil into bags, poke small holes in the bottom of the bags for water drainage, place them on the seedling bed and water a small amount, then sow the seeds that have completed germination promotion. After covering with soil, water them. After the seedlings emerge, transplant them according to the growth of the young seedlings.
4. Later management
(1) When applying additional fertilizer, watering, and intertillage weeding can be carried out at the same time. When the main vine of the gourd grows to about 0.5 m, a small amount of urea can be applied. During this period, pay attention to the position of the additional fertilizer to avoid the roots and leaves coming into contact with urea and causing root and leaf burn.
(2) Each vine should retain 1-2 main vines, and carry out 1 directional hilling, tilting the plant in the downwind direction to prevent the vines from being overturned by too strong wind. Later, according to the growth of the plant, do a good job in pinching, tip removal, artificial pollination, and other work, which is helpful for promoting robust plant growth.