When are pumpkins ready?

[Frana]

Hi all,

I have three fantastic pumpkins growing.

One is a Big Max and the other two are Crown Prince (I think!).

The ones that I believe to be Crown Prince are just turning grey/blue in colour and the Big Max is a light orange. Where the pumpkins meet the stalk, the stalk is is beginning to 'crinkle' on each but when I have scratched the skin the flesh still seems to be greeny yellow.

I know Crown Prince should be orange inside so when do I pick em?

Please help as they really are good specimens and I don't want to ruin my chances of making some lovely winter soup!

[Two_Sheds]

You're going to have to bring them indoors soon, a frost will kill the plant and damp will rot the fruits

[Florence Fennel]

Wot she said ^^^ and well done, your soup will be delicious. On another note, I've been in Tesco this morning and they've got very large pumpkins at 2 for £3.00. Whoever grows them must have loads of land.

[queen of the cobs]

Hope you got them in before the frost. I had been leaving my enormous butternuts to get the last of the autumn sun, and picked them the day before the first frost, more by luck than design.

Is it an early frost this year?

[Florence Fennel]

I haven't had any frost up here yet, so it must be early down where you are IYKWIM!

[Two_Sheds]

Is it an early frost this year?

According to my gardening journal ... no, same as usual

[Frana]

Thanks for the advice all.

Think I am gonna bring em in now - shed or greenhouse?

[Jono]

Friend of mine bought a medium pumpkin in Tesco for 75p. Just don't know how they do it.

Enjoy the squashes, especially the Crown Prince. They're my fave squash, really really tasty.