5 Letters, 5 Facts: GOURD

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

By Vanna Dupree

Fall is upon us. The wonderful season where the Southern sun begins to shy away, and the rays from the sun become more tolerable. Once late September sneaks in, everyone is eager for the activities fall brings. And regardless of what festivities you take part in, pumpkins will somehow be involved. Pumpkins are used for many things including for decorative purposes, carving, pies, and its even a part of some chili recipes. These orange members of the Cucurbita family are an essential part of fall — but have you ever you ever considered their involvement within the agriculture industry?

What is the Cucurbita family and why does it involve pumpkins?
Pumpkins are a part of the Cucurbita family. Now you may ask –- do I even know what a Cucurbita is? The answer is yes! They are large genus of plants that includes things like summer squash, winter squash and even gourds. Isn’t it amazing how the same yellow squash you have in the summer, is related to the pumpkin you carve in the fall?

How long do pumpkins take to grow?
Typically, it takes around 3-to-4 months for harvest, when growing pumpkins. It is always important to keep in mind if you want to be prepared for the fall season, plant your pumpkin seeds accordingly – but never too before the last frost in the early spring! Usually, the best time to plant your pumpkin seeds is in early July.

What state produces the most pumpkins?
The production of pumpkins is spread across the United States; however, Illinois is the leading pumpkin producer! In 2020, the state had 15,900 acres dedicated to farmland which equates to 23 square miles of farmland.

What are some alternative uses for pumpkins?
Most pumpkin supplies that come to market are for decorative purposes. The pumpkins used for baking, are sold at either retail establishments or in the processing market. Most states offer pumpkin supplies that are aimed at the seasonal fresh market for home processing and ornamental uses.

What types of pumpkins are there?
There are several different varieties of pumpkins such as Blue, Cinderella, Howden and even Fairytale. Pumpkins that are used to carve jack-o’-lanterns are the Howden variety. Each variety has their primary uses and be sure to not to make the mistake of making a pumpkin pie out of the wrong one!

5

Contact Us

Oct 17, 2022 | Hot Topics

<p><a href="https://agriculture.auburn.edu/author/smd0065auburn-edu/" target="_self">Vanna Dupree</a></p>

Vanna Dupree

Vanna Dupree is a Snead State Community College graduate and is currently a senior at Auburn University majoring in agriculture communications. She enjoys spending time with loved ones and collecting vinyl records. She hopes to one day play an active role in the agriculture industry.

Recent News

Related Articles

Ag Abroad: Sign up now for Greece trip 

Ag Abroad: Sign up now for Greece trip 

Ever wondered what the importance of agriculture is globally? Attend this year’s Auburn Ag study abroad trip to find out! Over spring break, March 6-10, 2023, students in the College of Argriculture at Auburn University will travel to Thessaloniki, Greece, to learn...

5 misconceptions about agriculture, explained

5 misconceptions about agriculture, explained

We’ve all been there — trying not to roll your eyes at something your friend thinks about agriculture that is just wrong. There are so many misconceptions about agriculture, but we’re identifying just a few and digging into the truth. Agriculture is just traditional...

7 ways agriculture affects your daily life

7 ways agriculture affects your daily life

Think agriculture isn’t for you? Think again. Every single human being on this planet is dependent on agriculture. There’s more to this industry than traditional farming, too, though it's vital to each of our lives. Here are seven ways agriculture affects your...