Q. HELP!! I planted my pumpkins the end of March as we were going to be gone all of April. NOW they are almost “done”. What should I do?? Leave them on the vine or harvest when they look ready? Since it is only August I am afraid they won’t last until the end of October. Dee Dee Abolins – Edgewood, WA
A. You can leave the pumpkins on the vine after they have turned completely orange. Harvest before frost is always a good idea but frost will not be a threat until October so this is not an issue. I would suggest lifting the pumpkin and placing a shingle or a similar object to keep the base of the pumpkin dry and away from the soil to prevent rotting from the base and insect damage from below. When you do harvest them make sure you cut the stem with sharp pruners. If the stem pulls away from the fruit you should immediately make pumpkin pie (or your favorite use) since the pumpkin will rot quickly through this opening. When you harvest them, store them in a cool, dry, frost free location like a garage where temperatures average around 50 degrees.