How to Tell if a Pumpkin is Ripe:
A blog about how to tell if a pumpkin is ripe, when to harvest your pumpkins and other related blog posts.
Harvesting Pumpkins:
When to pick pumpkins? A blog post that suggests at what stage of maturity pumpkins should be picked and why.
What to do With Your Pumpkins:
Recipes, carving, painting… A blog post that describes all the different uses for your pumpkins!
It’s hard to tell when a pumpkin is ripe since it won’t change color after it’s picked. Instead, learn how to tell if a pumpkin is ripe by judging its stem and skin color. You can also tell if your pumpkins are ready for harvest by the size.
How to Tell If a Pumpkin Is Ripe
Pick the pumpkin from the vine only when it has completely turned orange. If the vine attached to the pumpkin is brown and has died, then the pumpkin is just about ripe too.
The rind of a ripe pumpkin should be hard enough that it cannot be punctured with your fingernail. However, keep in mind that very large pumpkins (such as Atlantic Giants) may not have a hard rind because they grow so fast that their rinds cannot keep up. If you are unsure if your large pumpkins are ready for harvest, test them by knocking on them with your knuckles or tapping them with a hammer. A ripe pumpkin will sound hollow rather than solid. The part of the stem closest to the body of the pumpkin will also begin to dry out and turn brown when the fruit is ripe for picking.
There is no better way to celebrate the Fall season than with fresh picked pumpkins. From pumpkin pies to jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins are a staple this time of the year. But not just any pumpkin will do. A ripe pumpkin has a better texture and sweeter taste than an unripe one. If you want to know how to tell if a pumpkin is ripe we’ve got you covered.
You won’t have to wait until Halloween rolls around for your next pumpkin fix. Instead of buying one from the store, grow your own! If you want to know when to harvest pumpkins, read on.
How To Tell If A Pumpkin Is Ripe
If you haven’t grown pumpkins before you may be wondering when to pick pumpkins. The answer depends on the variety of pumpkin you have growing in your garden. Most varieties take between 90 and 120 days from planting to reach maturity. You can check the seed packet for specifics about your variety or do an internet search for “[name of variety] days to maturity.”
After that point, it is best to let the fruit ripen fully on the vine as long as there is no danger of frost or disease. You’ll
This is the time of year when we get lots of questions about how to tell if a pumpkin is ripe. To tell if a pumpkin is ripe, look for the following characteristics:
1. The stem is dry and woody
2. The rind is hard and resists puncturing with your thumbnail
3. The color is as expected for the variety (should be bright orange)
4. It feels heavy for its size
5. The bottom has a flat spot where it sat on the ground while growing
To harvest pumpkins, use a knife to cut the vine, leaving an inch or so of stem on the fruit. Keep in mind that pumpkins will not ripen after they are harvested, so pick them only when they are fully colored, mature and ripe.
What time of year is it? Fall! What would fall be without pumpkins? Pumpkins are a great fall fruit, and much more versatile than you might think. You can do so many things with a pumpkin that you might not know about.
In this blog post, I will talk about how to tell if a pumpkin is ripe. You can make all kinds of things with pumpkins such as soups, cakes, pies, and all sorts of other delicious treats. If you don’t have any ideas on what to do with all those pumpkins, then look no further than this blog post for some fun ideas.
Every year around this time I’ll get a lot of questions about “when to pick pumpkins” and “how to tell if your pumpkin is ripe”. I remember my mom asking our neighbor, who had an amazing garden full of vegetables, when to harvest her zucchini. She replied with a big smile, “Well, you’re supposed to harvest them before they’re too big.”
We don’t have zucchini growing in the pumpkin patch. We grow pumpkins and we want them to be really big! But just how do you know when they’re ripe?
Wait Until Late Summer or Early Fall
Pumpkins should be harvested in late summer or early fall (September or October). If you try to harvest your pumpkins too early they may rot quickly and won’t last very long.
Wait Until the Pumpkin Turns Orange
Almost all pumpkins will turn orange eventually. You’ll know that your pumpkin has turned orange when it’s at least 50% orange on its exterior color.
Watch the Stem
The stem on your pumpkin is also a good indicator that it’s finished growing and ready for harvesting. When the stem starts turning brown and shriveling up it’s getting close to time to harvest that pumpkin
In order to prolong your pumpkin’s life and maximize the number of gorgeous days you can display it, follow these tips:
Choose a pumpkin that is ripe. A pumpkin is ripe when it is a deep, solid color (orange for most varieties), and the stem is dry and woody. Avoid pumpkins with soft or rotten spots. Don’t choose one that is too heavy for its size as this may indicate thick walls and stringy flesh.
Cure the pumpkin for long storage by leaving it in the sun for a week after harvest. This toughens the skin and promotes healing of any nicks or cuts from harvesting.
Keep your pumpkin cool (50-55°F). Extreme heat will cause it to wither and rot quickly.
Once harvested, cut pumpkins can be stored for up to three months if kept in a cool, dry place (around 50°F). In warmer conditions, they should last at least two weeks before spoiling.