3 huge pumpkins

[mormor]

I have three enormous pumpkins - the first is beginning to turn orange. BUT it is three months to halloween!   Will they keep - if so how?  I've never had big pumpkins so early. Should I cut them off the plants? or what?  Help!

[mormor]

[Duke Ellington]

You say they are just starting to change colour.  Don't worry they will be orange for quite some time on the plant. They still have some growing to do. DO NOT CUT THEM OFF THE PLANT!! If the plant is healthy leave them where they are. they will be fine.

[pumkinlover]

I have three enormous pumpkins - the first is beginning to turn orange. BUT it is three months to halloween!   Will they keep - if so how?  I've never had big pumpkins so early. Should I cut them off the plants? or what?  Help!

Try to lift them off the soil a bit and slide something thin but strong underneath.  This is easier with two. It will help them stay clean and not rot.

[antipodes]

Only harvest them when the vine starts to die and they have a solid, cork-like stem next to the fruit. It is too early yet.

[mormor]

Thanks for all your advice.  They have short planks under them, and I will wait and hope they last for Halloween!

[RenishawPhil]

We have got lots of good pumpkins and squash to, dont think the pumpkins will be any where near as good last year

As others have said , leave them on as long as you can, its ideal if you can leave them on until you are likely to have a frost,

i would be tempted to replace the plank with someone like a small slab if possible as timber will stay wet for longer

They most certainly will last, even if you harvest in sept they will be fine,

[antipodes]

If you store them in a cool, darkish place, they will keep all through winter, not just till Halloween! Make sure you pick them fully ripe (hollow sounding when tapped, skin hard and stem quite dry and solid) - cut them off the vine a few inches above the fruit.