Pumpkins are one of the biggest personalities and most exciting plants in the garden. From their sprawling vines to their huge appetites—it’s a joy to watch the fruit grow large and turn orange like a harvest moon. If there were an emblem for a fall garden, it would be a ripening pumpkin. Here are some tips for giving your bounty extra love in the final weeks before harvest. Or if you haven’t grown any this year, here’s some creative inspiration for next year’s patch!
Harvest time is almost upon us! How do you know when they’re ready? Pumpkins reach maturity when the rinds harden and turn a deep color, which is usually orange for most varieties. Gently knock on the outside; it should feel hard and sound hollow. If you press your nails into the skin, it should resist puncture. Cut the vine with clean pruning shears or a knife, and leave 3-5 inches of the vine attached. Leaving a long stem can help prevent rotting.
If you want to store your bounty for Halloween or Thanksgiving, make sure you cure the pumpkins beforehand. If the weather is warm, set them outside for about 10 days to toughen the skin beneath the sun. If the weather is wet or cold, keep them in a warm room for 4-5 days. Then store them in a cool, dry root cellar or basement around 55°F until you’re ready to use them. It’s best if they are not touching each other. Promptly remove any pumpkins that show signs of rotting.
They can remain in the garden during a light frost. The vine may die, but the fruit won’t suffer any damage. However, unlike some cool weather veggies, pumpkins won’t improve or ripen with frost. So it’s best to harvest them before the freezing temperatures arrive.
To speed up ripening, gently turn the fruit so all sides can drink in the sun. If frost comes, you can still leave the pumpkin in the garden to ripen, covering it overnight for protection, if necessary. If temperatures dip below 25°F, ripen them indoors in a warm, sunny room. If the fruit is still green, don’t worry! You can cook and eat green ones in much the same way as you would a ripe one. The flavor will be different, but still tasty. You can even find recipes that call for them.
Here are some reminders for better success next season. The plants love full-sun, rich soil that’s not too soggy, and lots of space for sprawling. Planting the seeds or seedlings in small mounds of soil keeps them warmer and helps with drainage. As they are big eaters, mix in some aged manure, compost, or vegetable fertilizer before you plant. Make sure the risk of frost has passed. If you want your harvest day to be closer to Halloween, count back the number of growing days from a projected harvest date and plant them then.
Pumpkins can easily sprawl all over the garden. They don’t have the same sense of personal space as a polite carrot or turnip! If you’re tight on room, you can strategically direct the vines out onto the lawn. Or you can let them go vertical. The vines will gladly climb any trellis, lattice, or pergola, as long as the structure is strong enough. Holding up the fruit is another story. Old stockings, mesh, and netting can be used to hold the heavy bounty. Many small varieties are also tasty alternatives.
If pests were an issue this year, use a lightweight row cover to block them off next time, but make sure to remove it when the flowers are ready for pollinators. Feed your plant with compost regularly throughout the season and water deeply once per week, depending on the rainfall. Once the fruits are formed, pinch off the ends of the vine to direct the plant’s energy towards them.
If you want to grow one massive prize-winner, pluck off all except one or two of the healthiest babies. If you wish to grow little ones, it’s best to plant a small variety rather than harvest a fruit from the vine before it’s ripe.
Whether for pie, a Jack O’Lantern, or simply for the pleasure of watching them ripen, pumpkins are a joy to have in the garden. They are full of vitamins and nutrients that keep you strong for the winter, and there’s something about the taste—it’s just what we crave as the autumn arrives. As with all vegetables, there are far more pumpkins varieties than you’ve likely ever heard of and many creative ways to grow them. If you need any supplies or tips to help bring in your harvest, please drop by our garden centers in Lothian or Alexandria!
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