Help ripen pumpkins and winter squash with simple August care for stronger colour and flavour.
If you’ve been growing pumpkins and winter squash in preparation for Halloween and hearty, warming winter soups, this is the ideal month. It is the perfect time to give those plants a helping hand.
A few minutes of extra care now can make all the difference. It can reward you with well-ripened fruit that stores well long after the growing season has finished.
To make sure the developing fruit ripens and colours up before cooler weather arrives, there are a few easy things. These jobs encourage the plants to focus their energy on these two things.
Remove any new flowers, as they’re very unlikely to develop into mature fruit before the end of the season.
Pinch out the growing tips once you’ve got a good number of fruit developing. This stops new flowers and fruit forming. Both will take energy away from the fruits that have already developed.
Protect existing fruit from rotting by gently lifting them off the soil. Place them on a layer of straw, brick, tile or a piece of wood.
Regular watering is also necessary, particularly during prolonged dry spells. Watering at the base of the plant targets the water directly at the roots. This is where it’s most needed, rather than over the fruit or leaves.
Why this late-summer care matters
These simple jobs help ripen pumpkins by directing the plant’s energy into existing fruit. They also help protect developing pumpkins and winter squash from rot, stress and poor colouring.
With a little attention in August, your crop has a better chance of reaching full colour and maturity. It should also store more successfully once lifted later in the season.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1 – How do I ripen pumpkins before the end of the season?
Remove new flowers, pinch out the growing tips, and keep existing fruit off damp soil. These jobs help to ripen pumpkins as this focuses the plant’s energy on fruit already forming.
2 – Should I remove pumpkin flowers in August?
Yes, remove new flowers in August. They are unlikely to develop into mature fruit before the season ends. Removing them helps the plant support existing pumpkins and winter squash.
3 – Why should I lift pumpkins off the soil?
Lifting pumpkins off the soil helps prevent rotting. Place them on straw, a brick, tile or a piece of wood. This keeps the fruit drier while it continues to mature.
4 – Should I pinch out pumpkin and squash growing tips?
Yes, pinch out growing tips once enough fruit has developed. This stops new flowers and fruit forming. It also helps ripen pumpkins and winter squash already on the plant.
5 – How should I water pumpkins and winter squash
Water regularly during dry spells, especially while fruit is developing. Apply water at the base of the plant. This targets the roots, rather than wetting the fruit or leaves.
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