The Perfect Pumpkin

So how exactly does one pick the perfect pumpkin? I think most of it is based on personal preference in terms of shape, texture, and color. However, there are some tried and true strategies to picking a good pumpkin.

At Pumpkins and More A-maiz-ing Farm, we encourage customers to go out in the field to search for their perfect pumpkin. Part one of this strategy requires wearing jeans and sturdy shoes. If you have never been into a pumpkin patch before, then you may not realize that the ground is uneven and the vines are prickly. Wearing gloves and bringing clippers are a bonus strategy.

Once prepared, head out in search of a pumpkin that you find visually appealing. Personally, I am a fan of a big, spherical Lumina pumpkin or a tall, oblong orange pumpkin. Bah loves the perfectly round pie pumpkins, Boo likes the pink pumpkins, and Bubs appreciates all "puh-kins." No matter what your preference is, you want to look for a pumpkin free from bugs, with an intact vine, no holes or splits, and few blemishes.

Pumpkin with perfect stem

There is still one more "check" before deciding if it is the perfect pumpkin: the stem. Has the stem part of the vine dried or is it still filled with moisture? A stem that has not dried yet means a pumpkin that is not ripe yet. While you could still pick that pumpkin (if it really is that perfect), know that there is a higher chance of it rotting because it was not yet ready to be picked. On the flip side, if the stem is brown and brittle, it means the pumpkin was lacking in either water or nutrients and also has the possibility of spoiling early. Opt for a pumpkin with a dark green, thick stem.

Pumpkins with drier stems

Pumpkin with moisture in the stem (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

There is also always the option of picking a pumpkin off of a display.

After you have found your perfect pumpkin, take it home, wash it in a mild soap, and put it out for display. For best results, store it in a cool, dry place. We stack ours on the front porch. The kids also put them around the house as decoration, but that is a post for another day.

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