Key Takeaways
- Choose the pumpkin based on how you plan to use it: carving, cooking, or decorating.
- A green, attached stem is one of the best signs of freshness.
- Avoid pumpkins with soft spots, bug holes, chew marks, or broken stems.
- Set the pumpkin down before buying it if you need it to sit flat in a display.
- Specialty pumpkins, gourds, and squash are great for creative fall decorating.
- Fresh-picked pumpkins often last longer than store-bought pumpkins that have been boxed and stacked.
- Keep pumpkins shaded in warm weather and protect them from frost in colder weather.
Pumpkin season is more than a quick stop at a bin outside the grocery store. It is a fall tradition, a family outing, and, for many people, the official start of decorating season. In a conversation on Howell’s Farm Experience, host Mike Downer spoke with Erin Conner of Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch about what families should know before heading into the pumpkin patch. Their discussion offered practical advice on how to pick the best carving pumpkin, how to choose pumpkins for cooking, and how to keep your fall decorations looking fresh for as long as possible.
Start With the Purpose
One of Erin’s most important points is that there is no single “perfect pumpkin” for every use. The right pumpkin depends on what you plan to do with it. A family looking for a jack-o’-lantern should choose differently than someone planning to bake pies or build an elegant porch display.
At Howell’s, visitors can find a wide range of options, including jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, pie pumpkins, ornamental pumpkins, ornamental squash, gourds, acorn squash, and mini pumpkins. That variety matters because each type has its own best use. Large jack-o’-lantern pumpkins are ideal for carving because they offer plenty of surface area for faces, patterns, and creative designs. Pie pumpkins, which Erin describes as roughly the size of a small basketball and about four or five pounds, are better for cooking. Decorative pumpkins and squash, including blue, white, and uniquely shaped varieties, are perfect for fall displays.
Look at the Stem First
When choosing a fresh pumpkin, Erin recommends starting with the stem. The stem is more than a handle. It is the pumpkin’s connection to the vine and a major clue about freshness. A healthy green stem usually means the pumpkin was recently picked and still has moisture in it. These fresh stems may even have small prickly points on them, which can feel rough but are a good sign.
A brown stem, on the other hand, suggests the pumpkin has been off the vine for a while. Older stems also break more easily. Once the stem pops off, Erin warns that the pumpkin can rot much faster than one with the stem still attached. This is one reason field-picked pumpkins often last longer than pumpkins that have been sitting in boxes at larger stores.
Check for Firmness and Damage
After checking the stem, inspect the entire pumpkin. A good pumpkin should feel firm all the way around, especially on the bottom. Soft spots are a warning sign because they often indicate rot. Bug holes, chew marks, and other damage can also shorten the pumpkin’s life.
Some dirt or mud is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Erin notes that mud can be a sign that the pumpkin came directly from a field rather than a shipping box. What matters most is the condition underneath. If the pumpkin is firm, intact, and has a solid stem, it is likely a better choice.
Shape also matters, especially for decorating. Many people set pumpkins down before choosing them to make sure they sit flat. A pumpkin that tips over may not work well on a porch, step, or table display. For carving, however, an unusual shape can be part of the fun. Oblong pumpkins can become Frankenstein faces, while green pumpkins may inspire Ninja Turtles, the Hulk, or other painted characters.
Understand Color and Variety
Color alone does not determine quality. Erin explains that Howell’s grows deep orange pumpkins as well as softer yellow-colored varieties. Some pumpkins are naturally white, blue, green, striped, or unusually shaped. These differences come from variety, not necessarily ripeness or freshness.
Cinderella pumpkins, for example, are popular for stacked porch displays. Mini pumpkins come in several colors and work well indoors or in small arrangements. Gourds and ornamental squash add texture, color, and personality to fall decor. Erin also mentions Turk’s Turban squash, a distinctive variety that resembles a colorful mushroom from a video game.
The main lesson is to match the pumpkin’s appearance to your plan. A classic orange pumpkin may be best for carving, while specialty pumpkins and squash can make a display feel more creative and personal.
Why Fresh-Picked Pumpkins Last Longer
One advantage of visiting a pumpkin patch is freshness. Erin points out that pumpkins at big box stores may have been picked more than a month earlier. They are often stacked in boxes, where pressure can create soft spots. Their stems may already be brown or weakened by the time shoppers see them.
At Howell’s, families can pick pumpkins directly from the field. That means the pumpkins are still connected to the vine when visitors choose them. This makes the experience more hands-on and gives families a better chance of taking home pumpkins that will last through Halloween and beyond.
Make Pumpkin Picking Educational
Pumpkin picking can also be a learning experience, especially for children. At Howell’s, visitors ride out to the field and walk through grass and dirt rather than choosing pumpkins from a concrete display. Kids can see pumpkins growing on the vine and observe different stages of growth, from flowers and small buds to green pumpkins turning orange.
This kind of experience helps children understand where pumpkins come from. They may even spot worms, vines, and other signs of farm life. For families, that turns pumpkin picking into more than a seasonal errand. It becomes a memory and a lesson in agriculture.
Storage Tips for Longer-Lasting Pumpkins
Once you bring pumpkins home, storage makes a big difference. If you buy pumpkins in September, keep them out of direct sunlight. Hot sun can speed up deterioration, so shaded areas are better.
As October arrives, pay attention to overnight temperatures. Frost can cause soft spots, which quickly lead to rot. If a freeze is expected, bring pumpkins inside overnight. Erin also recommends bringing cold pumpkins indoors for a couple of days before carving them. Otherwise, the inside may still be very cold, making the carving process less pleasant.
Choosing a pumpkin is easier when you know what to look for. Start with your purpose, check the stem, inspect the pumpkin for firmness, and think creatively about color and shape. Whether you are carving, baking, or decorating the porch, a fresh pumpkin from the field can make the season feel more memorable. With the right eye and a few simple tips, you will know how to pick the best carving pumpkin.
FAQs
What is the best pumpkin for carving?
A jack-o’-lantern pumpkin is usually best for carving. Look for one with a firm body, a healthy green stem, and a shape that fits your design.
Are pie pumpkins different from carving pumpkins?
Yes. Pie pumpkins are smaller, denser, and better suited for cooking. Large carving pumpkins are better for jack-o’-lanterns but are not usually the best choice for pies.
Why is the pumpkin stem so important?
The stem helps show freshness. A green stem usually means the pumpkin was recently picked, while a brown or broken stem may mean the pumpkin is older and more likely to rot.
Should I worry about mud on a pumpkin?
Not necessarily. Mud often means the pumpkin came from a real field. Just make sure the pumpkin is firm and free of soft spots or damage.
How can I make pumpkins last longer at home?
Keep them out of strong sunlight, protect them from freezing temperatures, and avoid damaging the stem. If frost is coming, bring them inside overnight.
What pumpkins are best for decorating?
Cinderella pumpkins, mini pumpkins, gourds, ornamental squash, white pumpkins, blue pumpkins, and striped varieties all work well for fall displays. Mixing shapes and colors creates a fuller, more interesting look.
Mike Downer: Hello everybody, I’m your host Mike Downer, and thanks for joining us on Howell’s Farm Experience. Today, we’re going to be talking about how to pick the right pumpkin, and I’m here with Erin Conner of Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch. How are we doing today, Erin?
Erin Conner: I’m doing good. I’m doing good.
Mike Downer: Good. So it’s pumpkin season, and families are going to be coming out to pick pumpkins. How do families choose the best pumpkin for carving, cooking, or decorating? And what should they look for?
Erin Conner: That’s actually three different answers, and it depends on what you’re going to use them for and what kind of theme you’re looking for.
Mike Downer: Perfect. So what’s the difference between carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, and decorative pumpkins? And which types does Howell’s grow?
Erin Conner: We grow all sorts of pumpkins out here at Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch. We have an eighteen-acre pumpkin patch where we grow jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, pie pumpkins, ornamental pumpkins, ornamental squash, gourds, acorn squash, and little mini pumpkins. We have something for everybody.
Up here at the farm market, we have huge decorative wagons full of jack-o’-lantern pumpkins. Then we have other wagons off to the side with all of our specialty gourds and squash that people pick from for decorating or cooking.
A lot of people want jack-o’-lantern pumpkins for carving. Pie pumpkins are usually about the size of a small basketball—around four or five pounds—and those are for cooking. Then we have ornamental squash, like blue and white pumpkins, that people use for decorating.
Mike Downer: Yeah, those are always around my house during the fall season. So what should you look for when picking the perfect pumpkin? Firm skin, solid stem, no soft spots? Walk us through it.
Erin Conner: When I’m picking the perfect pumpkin, I look at the stem first. Is it still attached to the vine? All of our pumpkins in the patch are connected to the vine when you pick them. That stem is basically the pumpkin’s lifeline. It helps it grow bigger and keeps it from rotting as quickly.
You always want a green stem because that means it’s still fresh and has moisture in it. When it’s green, it usually has little pokies on it. They might rough up your hand a bit, but that’s actually how you know the pumpkin is fresh.
We have field trips out here, and the little kids sometimes poke their fingers on the stems. I usually rub the pokies off with my sleeve for them.
You also want to make sure there are no bug holes or chew marks from deer. Sometimes pumpkins have mud on them, but that’s how you know they came from a field and not a box.
Mike Downer: What about color, the shape of the bottom, or soft spots? What do those indicate?
Erin Conner: We grow deep orange pumpkins as well as soft yellow-colored pumpkins. The color depends on the variety.
You want to make sure there are no soft spots on the bottom because that indicates rot. You want a pumpkin that feels firm all the way around.
Some people also set the pumpkin down to make sure it sits flat because they want it to stand nicely on their porch without tipping over.
Mike Downer: So why does the stem test matter so much? How does a healthy stem help the pumpkin last longer?
Erin Conner: You want a good green stem. If the stem is brown, the pumpkin has already been picked for a while. It’s older, and it may already be starting to rot.
Brown stems break off more easily. Once the stem pops off, the pumpkin rots about ten times faster than if it still had a healthy stem attached.
Mike Downer: So basically, some pumpkins at grocery stores or big box stores might not be as fresh?
Erin Conner: That’s correct. Most pumpkins at bigger stores have probably been picked for over a month and have been sitting in boxes stacked on top of each other, creating soft spots.
The stems are usually brown and soft. But out here at Howell’s, you can pick them fresh right out of the field.
Some people eat pumpkins and some don’t, but everybody wants their pumpkins to last as long as possible on the front porch.
Mike Downer: Nothing’s more disappointing than spending money on pumpkins and having them rot two weeks later.
Erin Conner: Exactly.
Mike Downer: So how do you choose the right pumpkin size based on your carving or decorating plans?
Erin Conner: Honestly, I just see a pumpkin and know it’s mine.
Some people like oblong pumpkins because they make great Frankenstein faces. Some kids pick green pumpkins even though they aren’t fully ripe yet because they want to make Ninja Turtles or the Hulk.
Green pumpkins don’t last as long, but kids love them for painting and decorating.
Mike Downer: Or maybe Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.
Erin Conner: Exactly. Those are all fun ideas.
Mike Downer: What pumpkin varieties can people find at Howell’s, and when do different pumpkins peak during the season?
Erin Conner: We plant our pumpkins in June. Gourds take longer to mature than pumpkins do. We don’t plant too early because if pumpkins ripen in August, the heat can make them rot faster.
We time it so they mature around September tenth, which is when people really start decorating for fall.
Everyone loves the Cinderella pumpkins. They’re more decorative than carving pumpkins and are often used in stacked porch displays. People also love our mini pumpkins, which come in white, orange, striped orange-and-white, and green-and-white.
One of my favorite squash varieties is the Turk’s Turban squash because it looks like one of the mushrooms from Mario Brothers.
Mike Downer: That sounds awesome. I’m going to have to come see one of those.
Erin Conner: Definitely.
Mike Downer: Sounds like you’ve got every base covered.
Erin Conner: We really do. We have a lot more varieties than you’ll find at most stores or greenhouses.
Mike Downer: So how can pumpkin picking be both fun and educational for kids?
Erin Conner: Picking pumpkins at Howell’s is different because we take you out into the field on a wagon ride. There’s no concrete out here—you’re in the grass and dirt.
Kids get to see pumpkins growing right on the vine. They might even find a worm on one. They can see all the different stages of growth, from flowers to little pumpkin buds to green pumpkins turning orange.
It’s a unique hands-on experience.
Mike Downer: That’s really cool. Even adults can probably learn something out there.
Erin Conner: Absolutely.
Mike Downer: How does Iowa’s growing season impact pumpkin quality compared to store-bought pumpkins?
Erin Conner: We try to plant our pumpkins when there’s still enough rain because pumpkins need a good watering when they’re first planted.
People worry about drought, but pumpkin vines spread out far enough to collect plenty of water on their own.
Wet seasons can be more challenging because pumpkins grow larger, but we plant wheat and rye as ground cover to protect the pumpkins from sitting in mud and rotting.
Mike Downer: So you make a nice little bed for them.
Erin Conner: Exactly—a nice straw bed.
Mike Downer: So now I’ve bought fifty pumpkins for decorating my whole house. What are your best storage tips to keep them fresh through Halloween and beyond?
Erin Conner: If you buy your pumpkins in September, try to keep them out of direct sunlight. Place them in the shade if possible because they don’t like the hot September sun.
Once we get into October, watch the overnight temperatures. If there’s going to be a freeze, bring the pumpkins inside at night. Frost can cause soft spots, and that’s what makes them rot quickly.
If you’re carving pumpkins after they’ve been sitting outside in cold weather, bring them inside for a couple of days first. Otherwise, the inside of the pumpkin will still be freezing cold.
Mike Downer: Those are really good tips. I learned a lot today.
It sounds like Howell’s has everything covered for fall decorating—from giant pumpkins to tiny ones, carving pumpkins, cooking pumpkins, and decorative gourds.
Thanks for joining me today, Erin. I look forward to talking again soon.
Erin Conner: Thank you.
