Plant Doctor Archive

Green pumpkins

MY pumpkins are still green. Should I leave them outdoors or pick them and try to ripen them indoors?

IF the plant is still healthy and the leaves in good condition, leave the pumpkins on the plant as long as possible before harvesting. But check what variety you're growing, as some remain green even when ripe.

However, if the plant has started to die off, pick the fruit, leaving a short length of stalk still attached. You can eat it straight away or store in a cool, dry, shaded place where healthy pumpkins should last several months. Don't try to store damaged or blemished pumpkins, as they may rot. In any case, it pays to check all stored fruit and vegetables every couple of weeks or so to remove any that are going soft or showing signs of rot.

Reproduced with permission from the former Weekend Gardener magazine. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the RNZIH.