Re: When Is It Time To Pick?

Pick you pumpkin whenever you like. I have left them in the patch months after they stoped growing. Just make sure nothing will eat them or cause them to rot. If you are not concerned about weight, take the pumpkin out of the patch anytime after it has stopped growing.
The green may be mold. It may be that you pumpkin is turning into a squash :) Don't worry to much about it. If you are really freaked, put some hydrogen peroxide on it to see if it bubbles. If it does, it is some type of bacteria. If it doesn't, it still may be a mold or bacteria, but you can't kill it easily.
Don't roll your pumpkin too far. I wouldn't want to risk a split or crack this late in the gamee. You can still get a lifting tarp from Alan Reynolds. Just email him. I bought his tarp years ago and it worked great!!
Pumpkins don't last long after they are carved due to bacteria feasting on them. Putting some sort of barrier on the flesh to keep bacteria off can prolong their life. I have heard that hair spray works well.


----Original Message Follows----

Hi,

I'm growing my first Atlantic Giant, I think it's about 250 lbs. My
question is, how do you know when it is time to pick? Should I wait until
the stem is completely dry?

Also, I'm starting to see green on the bottom of the pumpkin. The skin is
not soft, it won't wipe off. Do you know the cause? Is there anything I
can do to prevent it? Will it eventually rot my pumpkin? Should I pick it
now or wait?

I don't own a lifting tarp. Are the pumpkins pretty easy to roll? I want
to place it on a regular tarp and just grab the corners and lift. Any other
suggestions?

How long will the pumpkin last after it's been carved? I read that you can
apply petroleum jelly to help it last longer.



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