Pumpkin Harvest 2010

[F1520]

While visiting my uncle in NY state last week we harvested pumpkins and then cleared the pumpkin patch. Here are some pics:

 

[F1520]

Then we brushogged and tilled:

 

[F1520]

And here are the punkins:

 

[firefighter9208]

A little early wasn't he? They don't seem to be matured?

Chris

 

[Luremaker]

A little early wasn't he? They don't seem to be matured?

Chris

They'll ripen nicely off the vine. I'll start harvesting mine next week as my plants are dying off from powdery mildew as well.

 

[F1520]

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.

 

[dave1949]

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.

I think I'll bring in my pumpkins this evening. My vines are mostly dead with the powdery mildew too. I don't think the vines are contributing anything to the pumpkins at this point, so the logic sounds right to bring them in rather than let them rot in the sun.
Dave.

 

[bp fick]

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.

 

[dave1949]

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.

 

[bp fick]

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.

You are likely doing the right thing. My vines were worn out. If your vines are still viable, I'd do what you are doing. You have time before a frost threat. Mine were planted extremely early, at least a month ahead or "normal". They were just getting sunburned. Yes, it is best to wait, wait, wait, but for mine, the waiting is over.

Watch out for torrential rains that are coming. Rot is a bigger threat than being ever so slightly under done.

 

[dave1949]

You are likely doing the right thing. My vines were worn out. If your vines are still viable, I'd do what you are doing. You have time before a frost threat. Mine were planted extremely early, at least a month ahead or "normal". They were just getting sunburned. Yes, it is best to wait, wait, wait, but for mine, the waiting is over.

Watch out for torrential rains that are coming. Rot is a bigger threat than being ever so slightly under done.

Thanks BP. I grow them for our DIL who likes squash in all forms - she's a vegetarian. I really don't know much about growing them. Tried last year but nothing ripened here last summer. So, this is my first chance at a squash harvest. Be interesting to see what we get from Earl. We could use a lot of rain, but I'll watch for the rot. Supposedly, the Blue Hubbards improve with some storage time.
Dave.

 

[firefighter9208]

I just haven't had good luck with the "green green" ones ripening in the barn. Maybe it's too hot here.

We pulled 450 Jack O Lanterns and about 1500 Pie Pumpkins last Saturday. Probably pull another 1500-2000 pie pumpkins on Thursday and start on the Atlantic Giants and Monster Smash on Saturday.

Chris