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Morgantown, WV

I've always been under the impression that pumpkins should be shaded so that the skin stays soft and doesn't split. I was re-assured of this the one year I didn't cover, and my pumpkin split...

I've noticed in a lot of diaries however, that only about half of the growers out there cover their pumpkins, and more specifically there are a lot of orange growers who do not cover theirs.

What are your thoughts on covering pumpkins? If they have been covered, when should I be looking to uncover to orange up better? Mine have been shaded for most of their growth and covered with blankets for the past 10 days or so but are still coloring up just fine. Is it the genetics or the sunshine that gives them the end color... or both?

8/17/2016 4:12:01 PM

Jericho Vermont

My pumpkins only see daylight when we measure and when we water. Mostly to keep critter claws off or wind scrapes. It never seems to negatively affect the color.

8/17/2016 6:03:55 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Dustin,

I'm guessing that in most(if not all)of those diary pics of uncovered pumpkins, they are covered back up after the picture is taken. I leave mine covered until at least sometime in September.

8/17/2016 7:46:10 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I uncover mine as soon as the sun is off of them so I can look at them. I use sheets, some use suspended tarps.

8/17/2016 9:09:05 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have a shade tarp and white cover fabric on mine. The shade comes off the last 2 weeks to bring out the color, when growth is slow and the sun isn't as strong.

8/17/2016 11:08:59 PM

Morgantown, WV

Thanks everybody! I'll keep covered until the gains slow down then. Still getting great color so no need to change what I'm doing.

8/18/2016 6:17:30 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Oh we cover them. We jus take off the cover to show there beauty and get the measurements.

8/18/2016 7:54:09 AM