Help with pumpkins

I need assistance, I am a very novice gardener (first veggie garden this year), but we have a volunteer in our yard (not the same garden) We let it grow, just seeing what it would do. Well, it has flourished, and we now have two good sized pumpkins. I have no idea what to do with the plant, when to harvest (Can they keep growing until fall?). Do we ever cut the leaves that look like they are dying/have died?

The top left photo is the "healthy" newer growth. The bottom right is almost right where the original plant started growing. The photo on the bottom left is to show the size of the pumpkins.



Thank you for any help,
Whitney

This message was edited Jul 4, 2013 2:25 PM

e pumpkins certainly look ripe enough to pick. I have no idea what an end of life pumpkin plant looks like, I've never seen one that hadn't been killed by frost. I don't know if they will come back into flower once you pick the pumpkins. I don't think so as I believe squash are true annuals.

Pumpkins are considered ripe if your fingernail can't puncture the skin. They will set fruit over a period of time but I'm not sure what that "time" is. Lol. I'd just pick the pumpkins as they ripen and see if anymore set.

I was just in Burbank, jeez it was hot. Lol if you want pumpkins for Halloween you can always sow a few seeds in the next couple of weeks or so. Also pumpkins should cure but I'm not sure what that means. I remove mine from the vine and let them set there for a week or so but I'm not sure if that is the correct way.

Yes, you can remove the dead leaves, but you don't have to.

Curing pumpkins and squash just means setting 'em somewhere inside for a couple of weeks, as far as I know. They get a bit firmer and sweeter that way!

I keep a couple inches of vine on mine, like a belly button. :)

[quote="1lisac"]

if you want pumpkins for Halloween you can always sow a few seeds in the next couple of weeks or so.

Really? I was just thinking of doing that. I'm about ready to harvest some potatoes. Do you all think they would do okay in a jumbo potato bag or a raised bed?
Does anyone know anything about gourds?

whitneyeh- the pumpkin is ready. After you harvest them let them sit in a dark cool place for about a week. They will last at least 3 month with the right conditions. My wife left one one our front porch where it get morning sun at best. It lasted from Oct-June before completely disintegrating. That why pumpkins where apart of our ancestors winter lauder they last and our edible for the whole winter. Letting them rot is also the best way to get good, healthy seed for the next season. Just place the old pumpkin( with a shovel if rotted too bad) to the area you want it to grow. Break it into pieces. Seed side down. Let it rot all the way and let the spring rains do their thing.Presto!Pumpkins! If you want pumpkins for Halloween then you do need to plant now til about late August.

idealpeggy- I would not recommend planting pumpkins in a potato bag, but the raised bed will work perfect. My wife and I just plant a bunch in the front yard every year. and they do pretty good. What are your questions on gourds?

Jramsey-thanks for the advice-too late, though, I planted one Saturday in a potato bag and one each in two of my raised beds. We'll see. I'm thinking their roots do not go real deep anyway-right-?, and the top part will just grow out into the yard. This is not a real big deal-mainly just for fun and the grandkids :).
As far as gourds, and also miniature pumpkins, I was thinking of doing some for decorations. I spend so much at Halloween for decor, I thought maybe I could plant my own instead! Any suggestions on types that are easy to grow and cool looking?

For fun is the best way to grow! It will probably do fine. Just may not get as many pumpkins. Limit the vine to 1 or 2 pumpkins max and it should produce nice sized fruit. As for the gourds and ornamental pumpkins anything goes. I like birdhouse gourds and the swan gourds. They are grow the most so they will have the best seed. A lot of heirlooms can be temperamental. If some in the family can work a drill. Dry the gourds and then drill a hole in them. I like ornamental pumpkins that are white or have white speckles, so they glow in the moonlight. If you want to ensure good growth try an inoculant. Good luck. Also try rareseeds.com for seeds.

Great suggestions! Thanks!

Oh, BTW, what's an inoculent?