Andy Wyenandt, Assistant Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers University; wyenandt@aesop.rutgers.edu and Art Brown, Senior Associate Dean – Agriculture & Natural Resources, Rutgers University
The fall is almost upon us and because of the hot, dry summer many pumpkin fields will be ready for harvest much sooner than expected. For most roadside markets pumpkin season begins shortly after Labor Day and extends through the end of October. For those keeping track, that’s roughly an eight-week market. The question for many is what to do with marketable fruit in the field until it’s time for sale. As long as there is good, healthy foliage present, the best place for a pumpkin is on the vine. Foliage helps protect fruit from potential sunscald injury and will help any late setting fruit to size. However, keeping foliage around will also require additional fungicide applications. If the foliage cannot be maintained, move the mature fruit to a dry, well ventilated area. Many growers will let powdery mildew take the foliage out a few weeks before pumpkins are ready to be harvested. Why? Pumpkins are a lot easier to harvest without dense foliage in the field. Growers should be aware that the major drawback to this method is that powdery mildew can reduce stem quality by causing stems to turn brown and become brittle prematurely.
Once foliage is gone, pumpkins can easily be stored and ‘cured’ in the field by lopping them off the vine and placing them in un-stacked windrows as long as the weather cooperates. Temperatures of 80 – 85°F with relative humidity of 80 – 85% for 10 days after lopping are ideal. After this, temperatures between 50 – 60°F with 50 – 70% relative humidity will keep respiration and potential weight loss down. Cool, wet and ‘frosty’ weather will do most of the damage to ripe fruit in the field by slowing down the curing process, exposing fruit to potential fruit rot pathogens and, in the case of frosts, cause fruit to melt if temperatures get too low. Knowing your market, your crop and keeping an eye on the weather will go a long way in having a successful pumpkin harvest season.