A pumpkin conversation between gardener and Doug

I have these conversations every day either through social media or email and I thought it would be fun to read one. This was a question and answer session from Facebook Messenger with Jo Ann Close. It’s always nice to go back and forth sharing ideas.

Jo Ann Close had some questions about her pumpkins that were already ripe.

Jo Ann- Hey Doug! What do you know about pumpkins?

Doug- What do you need to know?

Jo Ann- They have already turned orange. Should I pick them or leave them on the vine?

Doug- I assume you want them for Halloween.

Jo Ann- Yes. Or at least for fall decorations.

Doug- I would leave them on as long as possible, but they might not make it to Halloween. This happens some times. If you do pick them early, be sure to leave the stem on the pumpkin, it will last longer. Keep an eye on them, if they start to get soft, that’s it, they have ripened and just want to leave their seed behind to perpetuate the species.

Jo Ann- There are 4 of them. They came up from pumpkins we left after fall of last year.

Doug- I’d knock on it and see if it’s hard. I bet you could get a few more weeks in the field. Then pick it and keep it cool to try and extend the life towards fall. Is there more fruit coming?

Jo Ann- I don’t believe so. The other ones either fell off or something knocked them off. Groundhog maybe?

Doug- They love pumpkins and will actually eat ripened pumpkins. This is a quandary, I’m not sure what to tell you to do. If you pick them, the plant might put more fruit on that would be ready at the end of the season. But if that doesn’t happen, I don’t think those pumpkins will make it to fall. You’ve stumped me!

Jo Ann- LOL!
Well, I guess I’ll just leave them on the vine & hope for the best! ?

Doug- Give them some fertilizer to encourage new growth.

Jo Ann- Ok. Thanks, Doug!

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.

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