Harvest pumpkins when they become mature
As a general rule, naturally aging vines are indirect indicators of pumpkin maturity. However, to ensure easy storage, mature pumpkins should be harvested prior to cold damage, which increases the likelihood of storage rots.
When harvesting, leave three to four inches of stem. Pumpkins with stems removed do not store as well since the stem scars may allow rot organisms convenient entry.
Suggestions for harvesting and storing your pumpkins:
1. Establish, fertilize, and manage the crop properly so that healthy (free of disease, insects, and mechanical injury) pumpkins are available for harvesting.
2. Harvest the fruit when it is mature and the rind is hard, but before night temperatures are below 40 degrees Farenheit and well before a frost or a hard freeze.
3. Harvest the fruit when it is dry. Do not handle wet fruit.
4. Harvest, handle, and store fruit carefully to avoid injuries.
5. Discard all fruit that is immature, injured, or has rots or blemishes. These fruits should not be harvested or stored.
6. Do not pick up freshly harvested fruit by the stem since many will separate from the fruit and provide easier access for rot organisms.
7. Do not stack the fruit higher than three feet (ideally, single layer for large pumpkins).
8. Do not permit harvested or stored fruit to get wet. Usually pumpkins are not washed, but if washing is necessary, be sure the water is chlorinated.
9. For better storage, some growers cure pumpkins for 10 to 20 days at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit with good ventilation.
10. Harvested fruit should be stored with good ventilation at temperatures from 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity between 50 to 75 percent. Refrigeration temperatures (35–40 degrees) may cause chilling injuries and shorten shelf life. High temperature storage will result in excessive loss of weight, color, and culinary qualities. High humidity may promote rots. Storage life without significant loss in quality is typically two or three months.
If you have any questions regarding pumpkins, please contact the extension office at 770-749-2142 or email uge2233@uga.edu.
For more information and details on upcoming events, check out the Polk County Extension office on Facebook by searching “UGA Extension Polk County.”