When is it best to harvest my pumpkins? don't want to leave them to near to halloween incase someone gets to them before me, but not sure how long they would keep at home before I carve them out.
Most pumpkins last for ages once they are picked if they are stored correctly. I've eaten some squashes in Feb/March that were picked at this time of year..
If they are ready now then no harm in picking them..
I've had squashes store for nearly a year... I've just got my pumpkins in, you don't want to leave it much later than this cos of frosts and potentially thieves, though that depends on you secure your site is etc...
Harvested mine today - in that I have taken them off the vine and then put them in a sheltered sunny spot just to make sure they are "done".
been a funny year this year - only have a small harvest compared to previous years. But still just about enough crown prince to give away a few to my friends who love this variety but can't buy it in the shops. :sunny:
PS dan love the new smileys - animation :icon_cheers:
picked mine today, good job i did some where begining to go soft, but i got 7 good size ones for halloween
We must all be of a similar mind; I cut my pumpkins this afternoon, washed the soil off the bottoms and popped them in the greenhouse. I'll weigh them tomorrow. I didn't set out to grow big ones but it looks like a decent crop nonetheless. Some are mongrels from saved seed so Lord knows what they will taste like.
Just an update; The total crop weighed 50lb and 6oz from one bed, around 4' x 22'.