How to pick the perfect pumpkin

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Halloween is less than three weeks away. You may want to get your pumpkins earlier rather than later.

Picking out a pumpkin can be challenging with the different sizes, shapes, and colors. There are a few signs to look out for when choosing the canvas for your jack-o-lantern.

If you’re looking for pumpkins during the fall, you’re in luck. Farms across the state have stocked their shelves with big, bright, orange pumpkins. The weather proved to help with the production of the fall fruit. Gene Kosinski with Kosinski Farms described how this year benefitted growers in Massachusetts.

“It’s kind of a hard call because sometimes there’s rain every day and you run into problems with diseases this year. It’s been pretty good. We’ve had rain when we’ve needed it and the rain wasn’t in excess,” said Kosinski.

Pumpkin demand starts right around Labor Day weekend and ends just after Thanksgiving. No matter the color or shape of your pumpkin, always look for a healthy dark green stem. This usually means your pumpkin will last longer. Some may even last well past the spooky festivities.

“A good pumpkin will last the whole season. I’ve had pumpkins on my doorstep until Christmas. It all depends, said Kosinski.

Pumpkins will start to rot within a week after carving Jack-o-lanterns.

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