Tips for Selecting the Best Pumpkin

First posted on 10-19-2009

By Carol Sanders, Writer/editor UAPB School of Agriculture

At this time of year, many adults and children are picking pumpkins from stores or pumpkin patches. Weather conditions in Arkansas and across the Southeast have created perfect conditions for diseases in pumpkins, said Dr. Obadiah Njue, horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Cooperative Extension Program.

Rain during flowering resulted in poor pollination that has led to a reduced number of pumpkins in some areas. So finding that perfect pumpkin has become a bit more challenging, said Dr. Njue.

Whether your pumpkin comes from the patch or the store, selecting a good and fully mature one, along with proper handling, will determine how long your pumpkin lasts. Pumpkins are usually ready for harvest when they reach a deep solid color (usually orange for most varieties).

Regardless of when they were planted, pumpkins should be harvested before heavy frosts. Pumpkins harvested from the vines or picked from the store should have three inches to four inches of stem attached. Those without stems usually do not keep well. Pumpkins that are not fully mature, those that are injured or have been subjected to heavy frost do not keep well either. “They wither and rot quickly,” said Dr. Njue, who offers these tips for a pumpkin that will have a long display life.

♦ Choose a pumpkin that is firm to the touch and free from any soft spots.
♦ Choose one that has a uniform color. Variations in color indicate that it is not fully mature.
♦ Check closely for any mold. This would be a sign of early rot.
♦ Make sure there are no bruises or cuts on the pumpkin.
♦ Select a pumpkin that has a proper shape. Make sure it can sit on its own.
♦ Select a pumpkin with a firm green stem. Avoid those with a soft brown stem.
♦ When transporting the pumpkin home, do not let it roll around. This causes bruising which accelerates rotting.
♦ Store the pumpkin in a dry place until ready to carve or display it.