Pumpkins are ready to harvest when the stems are dry and the skin resists penetration by a thumbnail. Light frost is not damaging to pumpkins but they should be harvested before a hard freeze. To harvest, cut the fruit from the vine with pruners or loppers. Leave a long, intact portion of the stem attached. Avoid breaking the skin and bruising fruit when handling. Pumpkins will store for two to three months in a protected room where temperatures will remain constantly above freezing and below 65 degrees F. If pumpkins remain in the garden to cure, check regularly for damage from wildlife and sunscald.
For more information, see the following Colorado State University Extension fact sheet(s).
For more information, see the following Planttalk Colorado™ script(s).
