So I had been holding off on harvesting this year's pumpkin crop. The growing season got off to a slow start, thanks to a cold and wet spring. And the summer-like weather in September persuaded me to let the pumpkins sit and ripen in the garden a while longer. I had been discouraged by the appearance of rot and the subsequent demise of my porch pumpkin. But I felt confident that the remaining five would benefit from some extra time on the vine.
Until several days ago. When I took a closer look at the largest pumpkin of the crop. Not a closer look, exactly. A closer touch. And what I felt was a softening, spongy exterior. Horrified, and fearing the worst for my four remaining pumpkins, I dashed into the house, grabbed the nearest knife, and began an immediate harvest.
My four pumpkins are now resting comfortably on the deck. Two are a bright orange; two are still quite green, but are beginning to ripen.
The survivors of 2011. (Candy corn is for sizing purposes only; it did not emerge from the pumpkin.)
Until several days ago. When I took a closer look at the largest pumpkin of the crop. Not a closer look, exactly. A closer touch. And what I felt was a softening, spongy exterior. Horrified, and fearing the worst for my four remaining pumpkins, I dashed into the house, grabbed the nearest knife, and began an immediate harvest.
My four pumpkins are now resting comfortably on the deck. Two are a bright orange; two are still quite green, but are beginning to ripen.
The survivors of 2011. (Candy corn is for sizing purposes only; it did not emerge from the pumpkin.)