A Guide to Pumpkin Picking

As soon as September rolls around, the pumpkins begin to be harvested. Pumpkins are more than a symbol of Halloween but of the fall harvest. Here are some tips for choosing that perfect pumpkin to adorn your home.

Pumpkins are fruits that resemble gourds. They contain a ton of seeds inside that big orange body. And, pumpkins don't have to be orange; even though that's the color we are used to seeing. Pumpkins can be white, green, purple, and even red. Imagine having a red jack-o-lantern on the porch.

1. First and foremost, never pick a pumpkin up by its stem. They are actually quite sensitive and, if it's a heavy pumpkin, you can damage the stem and the pumpkin. Be kind and bend to pick one up. Always bend at the knees and lift with your legs even with the lighter pumpkins.

2. No matter what the color of your pumpkin, it should be uniform across the entire pumpkin. An orange pumpkin with a few green or light colored places on the outside needs to be passed by. Once the pumpkin is removed from the vine, it will probably stop ripening. When visiting a roadside stand or church pumpkin sale, check out your pumpkin to be sure they weren't picked prematurely.

3. Check for soft spots. Even pumpkins can get bruised and sustain injuries. A bruised pumpkin won't last long at home. Bugs will be attracted to the sweet scent and invade openings in the pumpkin. Pass on soft pumpkins, too. A suitable pumpkin should have no nicks, cuts, bruises, or openings of any kind in its shell.

4. The size of the pumpkin is determined by the use. For carving, a larger pumpkin that is round or tall allows room for the carving project. For baking, small to medium sized pumpkins are best.

5. Check the bottom of the pumpkin. Is it soft or damaged in some way? Pumpkins will keep for months if stored on a flat surface in a cool place. Starting off with a rotten bottom is no good.

6. Bring a wagon. Pumpkins are heavy. A wagon avoids arm strain as well as the possibility that you will drop that armload of pumpkins after you buy them but before you reach the car. Protect your purchase.

7. Which is best: a pumpkin farm or a Boy Scout pumpkin sale? The choice is yours. A pumpkin farmer will know more about finding a pumpkin to match your needs, but the tips above will suffice to pick a pumpkin at the church pumpkin sale.

Are you looking forward to carving pumpkins with the kids? The first step involves picking the perfect pumpkin specimen for the project.