F1520
Silver Member
While visiting my uncle in NY state last week we harvested pumpkins and then cleared the pumpkin patch. Here are some pics:
A little early wasn't he? They don't seem to be matured?
Chris
A little early wasn't he? They don't seem to be matured?
About 1/3 of them were green or partially green, 2/3 were orange. The vines were not looking good. The leaves were wilted and covered with something that looked like powdery mildew. A few of the pumpkins were rotting away where they touched the ground. He said to pick what was left of them and let them ripen off the vine.
Too early? Maybe. Could be that he wanted to do this while he had help :laughing: rather than a few weeks from now when he'd have to do it alone. He said that they matured early because of the unusual heat this summer, and that the ones that were left weren't going to get any better if left on the vines.
Is this right? I don't have enough experience growing pumpkins to say.
Not pumpkins, but their cousins, the squash. This thread caused me to just go out and gather in all the big ones. We're due for rain, (finally, finally) 6 out of the next 7 days. That rain won't help, it's too late and could only potentially hurt.
Butter Cup. Personal favorite.
I have some Blue Hubbard, Acorn and a couple Butter Cup squash. All winter squashes. I don't know when it is best to harvest them. What I have read on the 'net is to leave them on the vine as long as possible, but don't leave them out in a hard frost. My squash vines are still fairly healthy. The Blue Hubbard stems are just starting to crack a bit and the shells are quite firm but still can be marked with a thumbnail.
Any suggestions? We have two more days of upper 90's and fairly humid weather coming. I am thinking of watering them good in the morning and try to nurse them through this heat.
Dave.