Pumpkins will be more visible as fall continues
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
Leaves starting to change color is a sure fire way to signal that fall is here. Another way is the seasonal infatuation with the pumpkin.
Pumpkin lattes, candles, pies, cakes, soaps and candies are only a few of the items that highlight the pumpkin, not to mention the fruit itself is used as decoration around Halloween.
Before the pumpkins can show up in seasonal treats and decorations, they must be planted and harvested like other agricultural crops.
Pumpkins in the United States:
- Illinois is the top pumpkin-producing state in the United States with between 90 and 95% of American pumpkins grown there. Farmers in the state produced 496 million pounds of pumpkins in 2008
- Other large pumpkin producing states include Ohio, Pennsylvania and California
- Total pumpkin production in 2008 was valued at $141 million
Pumpkins in Canada:
- In 2011, there were 2,239 Canadian farms with pumpkin patches
- 6,401 acres of pumpkins were harvested in 2013
- Pumpkin production in 2013 was more than 51,000 tonnes, valued at $18 million
- Ontario produces the most pumpkins in Canada – 3,851 acres were planted in 2011
Tips for Pumpkin Planting:
- Start seeds indoors in mid-April
- Northern locations should plant in late May, southern locations in early July
- Vine pumpkins need between 50 and 100 square feet to grow
- Seeds should be 1 inch deep
- Pumpkins need lots of sun
Fun Pumpkin Facts:
- The Guinness world record for heaviest pumpkin belongs to Switzerland’s Beni Meier and weighs in at 2,323 lbs
- Pumpkin comes from the Greek word “pepon”, which translates to “large melon”Pumpkins contain about 500 seeds each
- A pumpkin is a winter squash in the Cucurbitacae family with cucumbers and melons
- Pumpkins are 90% water
Join the conversation and tell us how you use pumpkins around the fall seasons.