How to mulch pumpkins? A detailed guide to the latest methods
Pumpkin cultivation is very common in our country, and although the planting method is simple, we still need to do a good job of management when growing them. This is especially true of plastic film mulching, which is very important for pumpkin growth and is tied to pumpkin yield and quality. So how should you mulch when growing pumpkins? Today the editor will give you a brief introduction, so let's take a look below!
1. Characteristics of mulching
When growing pumpkins, mulching is mainly done to protect the roots of the pumpkin plants. Because mulching cannot provide frost protection, if you are growing them in the open field, it should be done after the frost has ended. Mulching is generally carried out around Qingming Festival. Proper mulching can improve the growth capacity of pumpkin roots, encourage the roots to grow deep, and cultivate strong seedlings. In addition, the row spacing for pumpkins is generally relatively large, so the return rate is also relatively high. Because mulching has to go through summer, and summer temperatures are very high, the pumpkin varieties grown should mainly be heat-resistant types.
⟦NL>2. Land preparation
After pumpkins are mulched, in order to avoid problems such as excessive vegetative growth, lodging and premature senescence, we must pay special attention to land preparation. Try to advance the time of deep plowing the soil, and after the beginning of spring harrow and turn the soil to improve its moisture-holding capacity and ensure the ground is level with no obvious clods. After leveling it, dig a furrow about 20cm wide where the pumpkins are to be planted on ridges, with the furrow depth controlled at about 18cm. Then apply sufficient farmyard manure in the furrow, water appropriately, and build up the soil into high ridges. Break up the soil on the ridge surface into fine crumbs and remove anything that could puncture the plastic film.
3. Mulching method
After the pumpkin beds are prepared, the plastic film should be laid promptly. This can improve the soil's moisture-holding and warming capacity. Do not choose cloudy and rainy days for mulching. It should be done on sunny days when the temperature is relatively high, because if the film is laid under low-temperature conditions, then on a sunny day, when the film expands with heat and is then exposed to wind, it is very easy for it to tear. When mulching, be careful to unroll it slowly and pull the film flat and tight. Let the plastic film lie completely close to the ground, and after mulching press down both sides of the film firmly with soil. Leave about 20cm between ridges uncovered to make later watering easier.
4. Mulching and transplanting
For pumpkins grown under plastic film, the planting method can be transplanting seedlings raised in a nursery, or direct sowing. There are two transplanting methods. First, you can cover the field with film first, then according to the planting spacing, cut openings in the film and plant the seedlings in. Alternatively, you can transplant the seedlings first, and when covering the film, cut openings according to the position of the seedlings. When covering with soil, first cover about 80%, then water appropriately and cover level. The transplanting holes in the film should also be pressed firmly with soil. If you mulch after sowing, then when the seedlings emerge, cut openings promptly to help the seedlings break through the film.
The above is a brief introduction to how to mulch when growing pumpkins. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help you!