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Is the Pumpkin Ready to Harvest?
jacob.ewert0205
Posts: 3
in Fruit & veg
Hey everyone! It is my first time growing pumpkins in South Florida and boy did I get lucky. I have pretty large pumpkin on the vine right now that measures 24 inches from stem to the bottom (half of the circumference). Its fairly orange (I have had it covered under a towel ever since it started to get big) and it was pollinated on 2/21), but I'm not sure if I should pick it yet. It resists my fingernail a little bit but I'm not sure if it sounds "hollow"
It is Burpee's Prizewinner Hybrid.
Does anyone have an idea of some other signs I should look for? Can I leave it on for too long?
Thanks everyone!!!
(I really want to make pumpkin pie!)
0
Posts
Sorry, I meant it is Burpee's First Prize Hybrid. Is there a limit to how long I can leave it on the plant?
A pumpkin farmer in the English Fens told me that a pumpkin is ripe when the stem starts to turn colour and crack so from what I can see yours looks just about ready.
Then when you cut it, don't cut the stem close to the pumpkin, but make two cuts in the main stem so that you have a 'T' shaped stem - that way any rot isn't too close to the fruit and it should store better.
That looks like a fantastic pumpkin
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you! Do you think i would be able to wait until next weekend to harvest it?
Maybe the OP is just boasting!
you can harvest it but it needs 2 weeks' curing period before cooking. Very envious of the hot climate of Florida. I won't be sowing pumpkins until April or May.