How and When to Harvest Pumpkins

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Harvesting pumpkins at just the right time is key to rich flavor and long storage life. I’ll show you how to tell when pumpkins are ripe, the best way to harvest without damaging the fruit, and how to cure them for maximum freshness.

Pumpkins are ready for harvest 75 to 115 days from sowing depending on the variety. Pumpkins can be left on the vine until the first frost in autumn is near. Cut pumpkins from the vine two weeks before the first frost and let them cure in the sun.

Giant pumpkin
Giant pumpkin

When to Harvest Pumpkins

Knowing exactly when to harvest pumpkins can mean the difference between a healthy, long-lasting pumpkin and one that quickly rots. After years of growing pumpkins in a variety of conditions, I’ve found that timing the harvest just right—and using a few simple techniques to protect the fruit—helps ensure the best results. Whether you’re growing classic orange pumpkins, white varieties, or unique blue-gray types, recognizing signs of maturity like color, rind hardness, and stem appearance is key. In this guide, I’ll share what I’ve learned about how to tell when pumpkins are ready, and how to protect your crop from cold, rainy weather at the end of the season.

Tips from my experience:

  • Harvest pumpkins when they are fully colored and the rinds are hard.
  • The color of a mature pumpkin can vary according to variety; mature coloration can be orange, white, gray, or blue-gray.
  • A mature pumpkin will have a hard, shiny shell that is not easily dented or punctured by a fingernail. The stem of a mature pumpkin will be hard and shriveled. Pumpkins will rot if harvested too young.
  • Harvest pumpkins before the first hard frost. Do not leave pumpkins in the garden if the weather turns cold and rainy or if a freeze is predicted.
  • If pumpkins can’t be harvested before cold and rainy weather comes, put hay or straw under them to prevent rot caused by contact with damp soil. (Earlier in the season, as the fruit is ripening, you can place a piece of wood or tile or a piece of cardboard or folded newspaper beneath pumpkins to prevent contact with soil and rot.)
Pumpkin on vine
Cut pumpkins from the vine with a sharp knife, pruner, lopper

How to Harvest Pumpkins

Harvesting pumpkins takes a little care to ensure your fruits stay in top condition for storage and display. Over the years, I’ve learned that using the right tools, handling pumpkins gently, and preserving the stem are all crucial steps for a successful harvest.

Tips from my experience:

  • Cut pumpkins from the vine with a sharp knife or garden lopper. Leave 3 to 6 inches of stem attached to the fruit. The attached stem will protect the fruit from disease and insect attacks.
  • Pumpkin vines can be prickly, so protect your skin by wearing gloves and long sleeves when harvesting.
  • Handle pumpkins with care to avoid nicking or bruising the skin.
  • Lift and carry pumpkins by slipping your hand under the bottom of the fruit. Do not lift or carry a pumpkin by the stem; a heavy pumpkin can detach from the stem, fall, and crack or break. Stemless pumpkins do not store well.

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Growing and Care

Harvest and Beyond

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Learn when and how to harvest your favorite vegetables for the best flavor and texture. Get storage tips for each crop. Click on the vegetable you are growing below.

Written by Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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