RE: When Is It Time To Pick?

I don't mean to speak for Alan, but I believe I got his last tarp.  

You will have to turn to Ray Waterman (P&P seeds) or Howard Dill for
commercial tarps.  There are also several Amish-made tarps and individuals
who construct them (I believe Doug Walters from IPGA had one available).
Good luck.

-Gus

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Greg Sanchez [j*@hotmail.com] 
Sent:	Thursday, October 03, 2002 1:40 PM
To:	pumpkins@hort.net
Subject:	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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