Harvest pumpkins

October wouldn’t be October without pumpkins, but when is the right time to harvest them? Tap the pumpkin with your finger, if it sounds hollow, it’s ripe. Make sure the skin and rind are hard; you can test that with your fingernail – if the skin won’t puncture then it’s ready. Cut the pumpkin off the vine with sharp snips or a knife, leaving about 10cm of stalk. The skin should be a rich colour. Pumpkins need to cure for about 10 days so store them somewhere warm and dry. This is a great opportunity for a Halloween display!