It's no secret that growing pumpkins is a commitment. Not only do they require up to 130 days to mature, but they also take up a lot of room in your garden. Because of the time and effort pumpkins need, you may just skip the whole process and go to your local pumpkin patch. Or maybe you're all in this year and ready to harvest. Either way, you'll want to know when to pick pumpkins so they're perfectly ripe.
If you pick pumpkins too soon, they won't last; pick them too late, and they'll be soft and mushy. But first, you need to decide from different types of pumpkins. "It's really personal preference," says Luther McLaughlin, general manager of vegetables for PanAmerican Seed. "Everyone has a favorite type." You'll find pumpkins every color including white, bright orange, blue, and even speckled and shapes that vary from the classic round to a more oval profile.
If you're growing your own, here's what you need to know about planting pumpkins to ensure ripeness and how to make pumpkins last longer.
How to Grow Pumpkins
To pick the perfect pumpkins from your own garden, you'll first need to know how to grow them! You can grow pumpkins from seeds or transplants. Place two to three seeds per hole, eventually thinning to a single hardy-looking plant per spot. Water well, then again if you haven't had rain for a week or so.
In order to figure out how much space you'll need for your pumpkins, first read the seed package. This will tell you what type you're planting and how long the vines will be, says McLaughlin. Additionally, multiple bee visits to a flower are needed in order to transfer enough pollen for fruit set, so make sure you have plants that attract pollinators close by.
Next, you'll need to know how to help your pumpkins thrive. For pumpkins to grow well and ripen, they'll need full sun, which is 6 or more hours of direct sun per day. "More is better," says McLaughlin. "Ideally, they like seven or eight hours of full sun."
When to Harvest Pumpkins
Now, it's time to pick! If you've grown your own, hopefully you've kept the plant tag or seed package to give you an idea of how long they should take to mature. Regardless of whether you're picking in your garden or on a farm, look for the leaves that are starting to curl back and turn brown.
Next, look for the pumpkin skin to be nearly or fully colored. Some orange types will continue to ripen after harvesting, says McLaughlin. If you aren't sure when you're out on a farm, don't hesitate to ask an employee! They'll help give you guidance. And lastly, the rind should be firm and not mark when a fingernail is pushed into it.
Different types of pumpkins can ripen at different rates, so be sure to read up on the specific pumpkin seeds you've got. Although many pumpkins will continue to ripen once picked, it's best to let pumpkins ripen naturally on the vine. But pumpkins don't do well with cold, so you'll want to harvest them if you're expecting a heavy frost or heavy rain—otherwise, they'll begin to rot. In general, pumpkins can be left on the vine until the first frost of the year.
Download the chart here.
How to Harvest Pumpkins
When it does come time to harvest your pumpkins, make sure you wear garden gloves as the vines are super prickly! You don't want to twist the pumpkin off the vine. Instead, use a sharp knife to cut it from the vine, leaving a stem that's four to eight inches long (pumpkins with stems that are broken off will rot faster). Carry it by the bottom, not the stem, so it won't break. Then rinse your pumpkin and keep it out of direct sunlight. If you like, a mild bleach wash also may help prolong its lifespan.
Tips for Storing Pumpkins
You shouldn't let your pumpkins just sit on soggy soil. If you need to harvest them early, store pumpkins in a warm, well-ventilated space (such as a shed, garage or greenhouse) for several weeks. When the weather improves, you can then place the pumpkins outdoors in full sun to promote maturity. Besides poor weather conditions, insects, and disease, you don't usually have to worry about a pumpkin staying on the vine too long and rotting.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
