When I had posted a picture of this pumpkin while it was growing in the vegetable garden Skeeter remarked she did not know pumpkins start out green. It seems like everything starts out green then changes to another color. Even the fall leaves. I never really thought about this fact and find it interesting so I thought I'd try to show the changes in the pumpkin. I did not however anticipate the vine this pumpkin was growing on would dry up and wither and die.
So I cut the pumpkin off from the vine. I never pick them or pull them off from the vine. The stems can be quite long and need to be cut. The pumpkin was still completely green when I cut it off the vine. I then placed the pumpkin on a table on my deck outside. It has slowly turned to a bright orange and I'm happy to report it is completely orange now. I had no idea if it would continue to ripen after being picked but was simply delighted it did. Some vegetables you must pick when ripe-for instance cantaloupes. Others you can pick when they are green and they'll change to the ripe color. Some examples include tomatoes. If you live in Middle Tennessee you might be doing what I am doing with my tomatoes. Pick all of the green ones off from the plants and store them in a double paper bag in a cool dry area like an unheated garage. The green tomatoes will slowly ripen and you could conceiveably be eating ripe tomatoes from your garden in January! I've done it before and it is a treat. But for now Skeeter, enjoy the orange pumpkin....
in the garden....
I received my new camera this Wednesday. This last picture is taken with the new camera. So far I am liking the quality but not the learning curve on how to manage the pictures. The software is extremely difficult to use and it is driving me crazy. Any suggestions on good software for Nikon pictures?
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
