My jack o lanterns are now turning orange and some are even being eaten in the field by the rodents, I think. I haven't grown pumpkins before, so I am not quite sure how dry the stems need to be before I cut them from the vine. I did a few already and I noticed that the stem got moldy. I was expecting them to dry out and that didn't happen. any advice?
When did you plant them ? Normally they are ready when a deep solid orange and sound a little hollow when tapped with a stick.
My "rules of thumb" for when to pick are: (1)When the fruit stems are dry and sort of corky-looking with little bursts (cracks) in them. (2)When frost is forecast. (3)When the skin (peel) is hard.
Thanks. I went and picked them, the ones that were good anyway. pumpkins sept 2011 ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
Goodness gracious me! What a load u'v pumps. I think that you've got nice pumpkins, but that is a REALLY nice cart. Looks like it would roll easily. Did you tie that hound to the front of it when you went out to harvest? ROARRRRRRRR....
Sjoerd, Yes, ROAAAAAR!!!! we both laughed at that! I think that he could pull that if we had a harness. Maybe for the winter I will get a goat harness for him and mush him through the fields. I hate going outside in the winter, but maybe this would help get me out. Back to the cart, though, yes it is a really nice wagon, we pull that down across the road and through the field to haul back the loads from over there. Saves a lot of walking. Thanks Netty! I think we left as many bad ones as I brought up to the house. such a waste. between the squash bugs and the rodents or skunks or something a lot went to waste.
Thanks Bip, this was the first year i've grown them. I think the commercial growers must insecticide/fungicide them beyond belief. I am amazed at how uniform and nice the ones we see at the store are after trying these this year. Or we must have had the worst year ever for insects and mildew.
Cherylad and Karmma, I grew Jack o Lanterns only this year for pumpkins. I grew red warty thing for a large squash, but that was mostly a crop failure. I found one decent one in the patch. When I get to the bottom of the cart, I'll show it to you,, It is really weird looking, but tastes GREAT. Maybe next year I'll try some pie pumpkins.
The jack o lanterns make good pies as well if young and tender. That is usually what I grow. Also great if you take the meat out and bake topped with butter, brown or white sugar, and cinnamon. Lots of butter !
