Pumpkins grow very quickly in the summer and try to take over the entire garden. Although lush leaves are pleasing to the eye, the plant’s energy should currently be directed elsewhere.
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What to do? BBC show “Gardeners’ World” expert Frances Tophill advises pruning the side shoots. You need to cut off those parts of the stems that extend beyond the already set and developing fruits, according to “Woman and Home”.
Why is this important? Similar to pruning tomatoes, by removing unnecessary branches, the plant is forced to devote all its energy and nutrients to ripening and enlarging the existing fruits, rather than growing new leaves or additional small shoots. This is a crucial step if you want to have an impressive harvest by October.
Experts’ tips to ensure success
To make the work effective and safe for the plant, follow these rules:
- Tool cleanliness: before pruning, make sure your garden tools are clean and sharp. Dirty tools can easily transfer diseases from one plant to another, which can ruin the entire crop.
- Watering and fertilizing: pruning is only part of the success. For the fruits to grow large and healthy, pumpkins still require regular watering and additional fertilizing.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, this simple but timely work in August can fundamentally change the results of your autumn harvest.
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