Fall is officially here, and with the beginning of October, it’s pumpkin season.  It’s time to go pumpkin picking at some pumpkin patches in Mooresville NC! Fresh pumpkins last longer than pumpkins from a supermarket, plus it’s more fun picking pumpkins yourself. Fresh, healthy pumpkins could last past Thanksgiving if not carved. Many pumpkin patches also have hayrides and other activities. Before you pick your own pumpkins, be sure you know how to pick the perfect pumpkins.

Finding the Perfect Pumpkin

Pumpkins for carving and cooking are the same – you just have to use the smaller pumpkins for cooking. If you want fresh pumpkin pie for the fall season, choose smaller pumpkins that look healthy. They should last through the Thanksgiving season. Choose medium to large pumpkins for carving.

When you get to pumpkin patches in Mooresville NC, look for pumpkins that are orange. If a pumpkin has any green on it, it may not ripen once it’s off the vine. Pumpkins grow in all different shades of orange and in all different sizes and shapes. If you’re picking for cooking, as long as they are small and are completely ripened, the shape doesn’t matter.

If you are picking for carving, the pumpkin should also be completely ripened. Choose from tall pumpkins, fat and round pumpkins and even pumpkins with a weird shape. The one thing you need to be careful of is not picking a pumpkin that you won’t be able to carry back with you. Some pumpkins can grow to enormous sizes. While a 50-pounder might look great on your doorstep, it’ll only look good there if you can get it home!

Carving Pattern

Because pumpkins come in different shapes, you’ll be able to get creative. It’s a good idea to pick your design before you leave. If the design you choose needs a taller pumpkin, you’ll be able to look for that while you are in the patch.

Stems

The stem adds character to your carving. However, if the pumpkin you choose is heavier, picking it up by the stem will most likely break the stem. If keeping the stem is pertinent to your design, be sure to avoid the stem when you pick up the pumpkin.

Ripeness

While a pumpkin that is completely orange is most likely ripe, you could also test it by pressing on the bottom of the fruit with a thumbnail. Do not press the thumbnail in the face or top of the pumpkin. If the pumpkin is ripe, the shell will not scratch or dent easily.

A pumpkin may be overripe – and if so, it won’t last through the season. Even one small soft spot could decrease the life of the pumpkin. Make sure the pumpkins you pick for carving do not have soft spots. If you are cooking the pumpkin right away, a soft spot won’t hurt it.

A cracked pumpkin may lend character to your carving. However, the crack could develop soft spots or even mold. If you need a pumpkin with a crack in it, be sure to examine the crack carefully for mold and soft spots.

Finally, look for insects and bugs. Bugs crawling on the pumpkin may be wiped off. However, if the bug or insect bored a hole in the pumpkin, move on to the next pumpkin. The bugs could be inside and those holes will turn into soft spots sooner rather than later.

Going to the Pumpkin Patch

Make your life easier – especially if you have kids – by bringing a small wagon with you. You will be able to haul the pumpkins with it, and, if the kids get tired, you can haul the kids, too. Pumpkin patches like Carrington Farms could be muddy or wet if the weather was recently bad or if the farmer recently watered, so be sure to wear old sneakers or boots. And, don’t forget a small knife to cut the pumpkin from the vine!