When should I harvest my pumpkins? 

Pumpkins can be harvested when they have developed a deep, uniform orange color and the rind is hard. Mature pumpkins can also be left in the garden or field until the vines are killed by a light frost or freeze. 

When harvesting pumpkins, handle them carefully to prevent cuts and bruises. Cut the pumpkins off the vine with a sharp knife or pair of lopping shears. Leave several inches of stem attached to each fruit. A pumpkin with a 3 to 5 inch stem or handle is more attractive. Also, pumpkins with stems are less likely to rot. Do not carry pumpkins by their stems. The stems may not be able to support the weight of the pumpkins and may break off. 

After harvesting the pumpkins, cure them at a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees F and 80 percent relative humidity for 10 days. Curing helps to harden their skins and heal any cuts and scratches. 

After curing, store the pumpkins in a cool, dry place. Storage temperatures should be 50 to 55 degrees F. When storing pumpkins, place them in a single layer where they don’t touch one another. Good air circulation helps to prevent moisture from forming on the surfaces of the fruit and retards the growth of decay fungi and bacteria. Placing the pumpkins in piles generates unwanted heat which may result in the rotting of some fruit. Promptly remove and discard any pumpkins that show signs of decay.

How do I germinate Jack-in-the-Pulpit seeds? 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) seeds can be sown directly outdoors or started indoors. Harvest the cluster of berries as soon as they turn red in late summer/early fall. Each berry usually contains four to six seeds. Remove the seeds by gently squeezing them from the berries. Seeds can be planted immediately outdoors. Plant the seeds ½ inch deep in a moist, partially shaded location. 

Jack-in-the-Pulpit can also be started indoors. Before sowing the seeds indoors, the seeds must be stratified (exposed to cool, moist conditions) for 60 to 75 days. Jack-in-the-pulpit seeds can be stratified by placing them in moist sphagnum peat or sand and then storing them in the refrigerator for two to two-and-a-half months. Suitable containers include plastic bags and small food storage containers. After the seeds have been stratified, plant the seeds in a pot or flat. In spring, plant the seedlings outdoors. 

I would like to plant a shade tree that has colorful foliage in fall.  Can you provide some suggestions? 

Shade trees that possess excellent fall foliage include Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red oak (Quercus rubra) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica).

Freeman maples are considered hybrids of red and silver maples.Their leaves change to orange or red in fall. Widely sold Freeman maples include ‘Celebration’ and ‘Autumn Blaze.’

Sugar maples are native to eastern Iowa. Their fall foliage varies from yellow to orange to reddish orange. ‘Commemoration’ and ‘Legacy’ are two excellent sugar maple varieties.

The foliage of red oaks is commonly wine red in fall. Black gums are not widely grown in Iowa. They are somewhat difficult to transplant and prefer moist, well-drained, acidic soils (pH 6.0 to 6.5). However, the black gum possesses outstanding fall foliage. Its foliage is often bright red in fall. 

-30-