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Step 1
Expect to begin harvesting your pumpkins about 90 days after germination. There will probably be 3 to 5 per vine, and most will usually weigh between 7 and 10 lbs. During the growing season, look for natural enemies of the pumpkin, which are powdery mildew and the cucumber and squash bugs. Powdery mildew may kill the leaves and interfere with the ripening process, and both bugs may attack seedlings, vines and new and fully ripe fruit. Check your local gardening supply store for information if you have a problem with these pests.
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Step 2
Leave your pumpkins on the vine until the color is a deep, solid orange color; the color stops developing once the fruit is picked. If necessary, cut away the foliage near harvest time to encourage ripening. The rind of a ripe pumpkin is hard and sounds hollow when you thump it, and the pumpkin will feel heavy for its size.
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Step 3
Cut the pumpkin from the vines with a sharp knife, leaving about 4 inches of stem on the fruit. Pumpkins don't keep as long if they don't have a stem, and if you're going to use them for decorations, you'll want the stem left for a handle. Wearing gloves when you harvest your pumpkin patch is advisable, as the stems are prickly and may cause irritation to your skin.
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Step 4
Cure your pumpkins after you harvest them so they'll store longer without rotting. This process involves storing them in an ideal environment of 80 degrees F with a humidity of 75 percent for 10 days. If this isn't possible, leave them in the sun for a week after you cut them from the vine. Clean your pumpkins if you are going to store them for a long time. A 10-percent bleach solution sprayed on the skin will help prevent mold from forming. They should last until midwinter if they are stored in a cool, dry place.
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Step 5
Think of all of the different things you can do if you're growing pumpkins. The best pumpkins for cooking are the smaller sweet varieties, which are less watery than the larger, jack-o-lantern types. Roast the seeds for a healthy snack. The most fun you can have with your larger pumpkins is carving and decorating them for Halloween.
