Harvesting:Pumpkins

• Leave the fruit on the vine as long as possible.
• Examine the pumpkin fruit every few days to see if it is still growing
• The pumpkin fruit should not be harvested until the skin has reached full color and has hardened.
• Use a sharp knife to cut off the stem at the vine. Be careful not to damage the vine, if there are more pumpkins still on it. A good pumpkin has a good stem. Do not carry the pumpkin by the stem. Carry the pumpkin out of the field by holding it in the palms of your hands.
• Wash the pumpkin properly before storage.