I just discovered that someone picked one of my pumpkins early, and I'm really upset about it. This pumpkin was my biggest pride from this year's garden, and I want to make sure it doesn't rot before I'm able to carve it. The skin has turned orange, and it feels pretty hard when I do the nail test. Should I store it in the basement or garage until late September or October? Or would it be better to leave it on my porch under a bench? Any advice would be super helpful!
2 Answers
You might want to find a dry, cool spot to store it, like a garage that's protected from critters. Pumpkins need to cure, and if you don't carve it, it can last even longer than Halloween! Also, does your garden have a lot of foot traffic? If people can see your pumpkins easily, maybe try to cover them a bit until you can carve it.
Don't worry too much! I usually pick mine while they're still a bit green to let them ripen inside. As long as your pumpkin is full-sized and the skin is hardened, it should store well for you. I recommend putting it somewhere warm and sunny to help it finish ripening. Just avoid keeping them long-term on concrete since that can lead to moisture buildup and rot. Personally, I keep mine on a shelf in my cool garage or in my kitchen pantry.
Yeah, my garden is right in the front yard, so anyone walking by can definitely see it. My kids could have gotten curious too, but I think one of them might have picked it. I’ll do my best to keep the rest safe!