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Roseville, CA

Hi - We are growing field pumpkins for carving and have a couple that have already turned completely orange. Others are still either green or various stages of green. Should we remove the orange ones from the plant now? Will they last until the end of October if we do not carve them? Or should we leave them in the field until later in October?
Thanks.

9/10/2012 5:12:43 PM

Princeton Kentucky

I've picked them 35-40 days early before..they lose some luster but as long as you keep them out of the direct sun and on dry surface they should be good..if yer in a frost layden area you may want to cover them before frost hits. They should keep solid. Good luck

9/10/2012 5:31:49 PM

El Paso TX.

Ive had them stored for as long as 5 months before and they held up fine ( Planted early to get them germinated before the summer heat set in and harvested them late May early June) -- the Field Pumpkins will last quite awhile if you keep them in a cool shady place - so yes they should hold up fine if harvested at this point.

9/10/2012 6:31:13 PM

Marion WI

Harvest them now. we left a big one attached after it stopped growing and the bottom went soft. Now our 117 lb. pumpkin means nothen

9/10/2012 7:23:22 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Always leave them on the vine as long as possible...Cover them and keep them cool but keep them on the vine. Wipe them down with a 10:1 water and bleach solution. Keep them on the vine

9/10/2012 8:55:01 PM

West Manchester, OH

ive picked some early this year and waited on others. I lost 2 pumpkins over 70 pounds this year to rot

9/10/2012 11:19:02 PM

Muddy Waters

If you leave them on vine make sure there's sand or something under them & keep watering the plant.Personally I pick them & set them on the porch north side of the house. or the deer will smash them eventually

9/11/2012 8:39:56 PM

Roseville, CA

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. Good luck to all

9/15/2012 11:45:47 PM