It’s Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, and that means pumpkin harvest festivals are popping up all over the place! But how do you know when to harvest a pumpkin from your patch?
Pumpkins are a bit tricky because they don’t show a dramatic change in colour when ripening. Keep an eye on the vine – once it starts to wither, it means your pumpkins are getting ready. Another sign to look for is the stem connecting the pumpkin to the vine. It will start to wither and change colour too.
When your pumpkin is ready, carefully cut and leave a little of the stalk in the top. This will help keep the pumpkin fresh. You can sit it in a sunny dry spot, outside or in, for it to cure for a couple of weeks before you choose your favourite pumpkin recipe to make with it!
