Pumpkins, how do you know when they are ripe?

[Simon05]

I have a few jack of all trades pumpkins, they have turned orange, are they ready for harvesting?

[Simon05]

[Leonnie]

If they've turned orange then they're probably ready. I leave my pumpkins/squashes on the vine until the leaves die back, then cut the pumpkins leaving the stalk and a cross piece of vine to make a T handle. If you want to store the pumpkins they'll need further ripening in the sun so that the skins toughen up, just leave them in a sunny spot but make sure you bring them indoors before you get a frost.

[teresa]

I have brought my orange ones home from lottie this week, getting a head start before the light fingers ( kids?) get hold of them lost quite a few last year.
One thing I did finded last year.  if a fruit is just started to turn orange you can pick it and ripen on a kitchen windowsill just fine or perhaps on a bench in a greenhouse.

[Simon05]

thanks for the replies, picking time tomorrow,  ;D