Instead of TAPPING a Pumpkin Do These 5 Things to Check for Ripeness

[@studiowolf1]

I love watching this "Aussie bloke". I always gain a smile.

[@Liap]

Great tips! We just lift the pumpkin and twist it a little and if the stem snaps, we know it's ready to harvest 🎃 That's how we do it 🙂

[@T0mtoma]

Great tip! Thanks :)

[@crouchingchickenhiddenegg]

We wait until the stem changes color or turns grey

[@MN_Candy]

I'm growing pumpkins for the first time in '23 (and melons). This was very helpful.

[@dewalediblegardens7800]

I usually go by the clostst 'tendrils' (curly bits that grab on and wrap around things). If they have dried up, then it's ready. This is also one of the ways I check melons :)

[@Tobias611]

Turned on my pc, opened youtube and instantly got a notification, what a way to start the day!

[@archieedwards3746]

Great Chanel and a fantastic guy I don’t know how people can dislike these videos great vid mark 👍

[@electricdreams9446]

Jealousy probably

[@boloking7717]

@trapd00rspider Other videos have quite a few

[@zk420zk]

From experience, there are certain gardeners who think they know best and hate people who get better results from other methods. Every allotment I've ever rented had a cantankerous, old fool that made it his business to tell me what I was doing wrong. Every allotment I've ever rented had a cantankerous, old fool that sabotaged my plot in some way when I had better results than him.

[@cristincarlisle7675]

@trapd00rspider 7 dislikes

[@Tom-co8uz]

Can’t please everyone

[@sshuggi]

5:40 You can also look at the tendril coming out of the same node in the vine. It will turn brown and wither when the fruit is ripe at that node.

[@beth272]

Yes, that is how I know it's ready to pick. Is ripe

[@RoseNZieg]

same here. I don't like the tapping method unless it's for melons. pumpkins are hardy enough to withstand being chipped by rodents. melons are the first to go if they are even slightly ripe.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

Doesn't work. Especially for watermelons.

[@parkerbeck3580]

I love how Mark gets so distracted and teed off by the kookaburras. They don't even register for me. All part of the ambience.

[@kyawswehan]

he even edited the video to include one

[@conniedavidson1807]

I love the sound of the kookaburras.

[@triciac1019]

We don't have kucaburros here in the U.S., so it's so fun to hear them!

[@amywalker7515]

It's probably a lot louder on his end. How lovely to have such birds to help with pests.

[@melindawolfUS]

I dehydrate leftover pumpkin puree and it's awesome sprinkled in oatmeal, vanilla yogurt, popcorn, pancake batter, cheesecake batter and even Alfredo sauce! It takes up so little room to store it and the flavor is more concentrated -I don't know why the grocery stores only sell canned pumpkin instead of dry in the US.

[@TheKrispyfort]

Good tip. Ta 👍

[@ayina111]

What a coincident! I just going to search about this topic! I had to visit my parents because my dad was sick. And I stayed there for 2,5 months (thanks to WFH). And when I go back home. My garden literally being taken over by pumpkins. It's my first time having them (I think I toss the seeds from supermarket pumpkins). And they are huge!!!

[@electricdreams9446]

Wow what a great surprise to come home to

[@lisafeck1537]

Cinderella APPEARED! I am so glad I consulted you, Mark. I can always count on you. Thank you. From South central, Virginia USA. Crewe Va. actually.

[@talldave1000]

Thank you Mark! As a first time pumpkin grower, I've been looking for the right advice as to when to harvest my pumpkins. Great advice

[@onepunch9203]

Gday, Mark. 🤣 I was wandering around in my garage with this vid playing on my phone in my pocket. I began trying to locate the cricket in the garage. Couldn't find it. Walked outside and then realized that it was a prerecorded Australian cricket! 🤣 🦗🦗🦗

[@jenniepio142]

Love all your videos. They are my feel good tv. Learned a lot from your channel 😁 I never get bored of your vids. Keep up the good work and dad jokes 🤣

[@AussieRN]

Me too. I like the idea of the hanging pumpkins. Saves on space.

[@The_F00l]

Hey there , i just want to say I enjoy watching your videos , i am glad YT recommended your channel a few weeks ago , i am not a Gardner/ farmer but its so nice to just watch someone build something to help things grow. It is very refreshing :)

[@jenniferewan5822]

Thanks for you video I love the your green garden , I learned in Jamaica when the leaf over the vine dried up thats when it is ready .🇯🇲🇨🇦

[@dana102083]

Im glad you come from the type of people that "cut it off and eat it still". So much waste from the smallest of blemishes. 👌

[@barbarawarren9443]

I often prefer blemishes because organic veggies aren't always perfect. I'd rather have an insect or two take a bite first, rather than eat a pestide-laden specimen that just looks good, while promoting cancer. In the US, the medical industry, chemical companies, and food industry are all intertwined and feed off of one another for profit.

[@brittneyrichmond6724]

@@barbarawarren9443 there was a caterpillar eating some green beans at the store. I bought the green beans. They must be good. Lol

[@markp1950]

Never waste. What doesn't get eaten goes into compost.

[@Rockzilla1122]

@@barbarawarren9443 im gonna go out on a limb and say that you think vaccines cause autism, dont you

[@lolzytimes4all]

@@Rockzilla1122 lmao I was just thinking time to bring out the tin foil hats. Not saying pesticides are good, but preachy people like you, Barbara, make me more sick than any roundup ever has, merely by reading what you write.

[@RoyHolder]

I didn't know anything about Kent pumpkin ripeness before this, thank you Mark! Cheers!

[@swirlychief877]

The way my family has done it for 130 years on our farm is to use your thumb nail and push. If it goes right through ie the skin is soft don’t pick it yet, however if the skin is hard and your thumb won’t go through at all or barely goes through with an audible pop or crack noise pick it and sit it in the sun for a day or two and then put it into storage until needed.

[@teocola2652]

What if the vines dies off? And what if the stem snapped immediately? But my nail can still puncture it? :(

[@greenthumbpatriot3295]

In Northern California we just let the vine die off then the pumpkins are ready to pick and eat. I grow three types small sugar, big stripe, and giant pumpkins all are ready within two weeks of each other and they store for almost 6 months or more and still edible. Great video!

[@Jeff_PNW]

That's what I do here in NW WA. Wait for the vine to die & if the stem is brown & then the pumpkin is most likely ripe.

[@Nulla61]

Our vines and probably in his area keeps growing in tropical areas

[@sarahmh9705]

I didn't know it can last to months 😮

[@siennalaci]

Yes, works for me in southern Queensland

[@elizabethveness7340]

I have a mass of butternut pumpkins ( all self sewn) just starting out... love a freebie 😉👍. Chreers from. MELBOURNE

[@emmabaker8678]

Fantastic video. I'm in the UK but 99% of your content is relatable 👌Thank you so much.

[@dreamweaver221]

Congratulations, this is the most beautiful, clean and organized garden i've seen. Really inspiring.

[@simonjack8122]

I've got 2 vines of that variety growing and there's 21 pumpkins in total on them😁

[@jenniferheale2485]

Growing my first pumpkins... hopefully, this year. I live in Canada and I have a raised bed at the community garden. Hope to make some soup and grow our own Jack- o- lantern. Great tips!

[@Layby2k]

Here's a big pumpkin scon thumbs up for ya Mark. Thanks for the video mate. I'm interested about how you prepare them for storage in the fridge, puree etc.

[@SD-iy3sp]

We cut them in half, bake them cut side down until fork pierces into tender flesh, scoop out n freeze in 1 cup sizes to later make "muffins" with cranberries (or any densely-nutritious fruit). Add nuts and (pumpkin berries & nuts) make a quick stir, bake, then eat for breakfast on the run, snack, or a meal.

[@jamespeters2859]

Needed to know this. Thanks. 2022, first year of growing pumpkins. Weehee!

[@softballcatcher2986]

Thank you for all your hard hard work, I can’t imagine the grueling and physical process you go through to make your beautiful gardens possible! They are quite beautiful and seriously bountiful. Good luck to you your doing amazing

[@3XTS]

Something interesting not a lot of people know is that you can eat the pumpkin flowers. Not all flowers will give you the pumpkin. You can use breadcrumbs and deep fry it, or bake it. Also just raw in salads or even on pizzas is just delicious. Give it a try! You will thank me for it 😁

[@PhosphorAlchemist]

Some can test ripeness by tapping, but you're looking for a particular quality to the sound, not for it to sound hollow. There's a real trick to it, and it's different for each fruit. I think it helps to be a musician. XD Your tips are far more easy to learn and reliable!

[@FlutterliciousLP]

I'm growing pumpkins for the first time this year and this helped me a lot, thank you!

[@hookywookywithmalarkyman704]

This guy is THE russel crow of gardners FAB !!

[@meemeezong1827]

You remind me of Steve Irwin. I love your fun personality and positive vibes.

[@jimedwards1367]

Thanks Mark. Great timing for me. Must say the rain makes the garden look fantastic. The birds could not make it any more Aussie. Well done.

[@naryah22]

You really have a beautiful land. Many ideas and great food.

[@gypsyj9691]

I love your videos, very informative and fun and not plugging some chemical to purchase. Thank you 😊

[@kathyjohnson409]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CHANNEL. Always educational as well as spirit filled. LIVE IT

[@Uncle_Chuck]

I’ve had my pumpkins stored for up to 12 months in the bottom of the pantry when I seen them there I actually thought oh shit I forgot all about them and I had one little spot on the outside skin the skin was about as thick as a hair the fruit had ripen up beautifully and I made the best soup ever

[@antblaster9k]

none of the seeds sprouted on the inside? happens to our squash

[@timocoetzee]

You're making me want to grow my own pumpkins now! Thanks for the entertaining quality videos.

[@Alice-kc6md]

Remember if you do to give them lots of space. Pumpkins grow like crazy!

[@nigelstewart9982]

@@Alice-kc6md It does help to provide them a rich soil and don't let them dry out. The ones I have will climb up and over bushes, so I don't bother with a trellis.

[@TheWeedyGarden]

Hope the princess found you Mark. Want to see you next time too. Great tips mate. You are great 👍🏼

[@nsick]

Great video! At a farm I worked at in the northeast United States we would check the tendrils of our watermelons. Each melon has a corresponding small tendril that grows on the opposite side of the main stem from the fruit stem. Once that tendril started to brown we knew the corresponding melon was ready. I know this is just anecdotal evidence but I found that method to yield accurate results! I'm pretty sure it was a standard hybrid watermelon variety from Johnny's seeds.

[@jerimiller5452]

I just love your videos , Mark because you don't waste our time with a lot of superflous chit chat.

[@cristinetrevor3467]

I find the best way to tell if a pumpkin is ripe is to check the stem. If you follow the stem back to the main long stem on the plant just where it joins on is a curly tendril when this tendril has withered and died the pumpkin is ripe.

[@JeSSiMKah]

Thanks for the pumpkin videos from an aussie that lives in the UK! Growing my first queensland blues and I can't wait to harvest them in a few months, they've been my pride and joy.

[@LevelUP84]

How did it go?

[@roxychic367]

So timely with my baby pumpkin

[@samanthabatch1019]

This came just in time because I have a 8kg on growing and I know now it is still growing. Thanks Mark

[@elderberryacres5938]

I just want you to take us around your garden. Let us see what's going on. It's still cold on this side of the world and I would love to see lush gardens and trees.

[@dennistaft7868]

Your tips are pretty much how I do it. It is nice to be confirmed that I'm doing it right. Thanks Mark.

[@mercedesescoto628]

Thank you for showing me how to pick and chose pumpkins. God bless you for sharing your valuable knowledge. shalom

[@earthkeepinggreen7763]

Mr Mark Maybe I am way off but is this the same way to know if watermelon are ready to pick? Love video😁

[@jiggjohns1028]

With a watermelon you wait until the tendril aka curly cue turns completely brown back to the vine

[@jenniferspeers2453]

Agree with waiting for the tendril bit to be dried out

[@SuperKyle309]

Yes the curly tendril

[@dlighted8861]

Tnx,good tips for next year. Unfortunately this year my vine has stopped producing female flowers. The ones that did grow died without being pollenated. Now I know I could have pollenated them by hand. 🤗

[@cabighorse]

Thank you for showing how to save less than perfect fruits and vegetables. My favorite way to preserve pumpkin and winter squashes is to purée the flesh then dehydrate it. I’ll grind the dried pumpkin pieces into a powder. 1/4 cup powder to one cup of water equals a cup of pumpkin purée

[@alansevilla7136]

I live on molokai, Hawaii. I just started gardening. I enjoy the video. 100 percent

[@rhonalow3271]

Hello Mark!! You get a big pumpkin thumbs up from me in WA. perfect timing for the video as My first Qld Blue just snapped of the vine when I lifted it gently 😊 now I can go and check the remaining 6 still on the vines and have a look at the dozen or so butternuts which are looking good. Thank you for all the great information you give me. It is greatly appreciated.

[@hestervanvollenstee1457]

From South Africa. I love green pumpkins, kook is with onions and salt, no suger. Very tasty!! Love your program!!

[@BloosSelfReliance]

I miss growing pumpkins, really need to get back into that.

[@barbarawarren9443]

Need to get a house & garden again too.

[@BloosSelfReliance]

@@barbarawarren9443 there is that xox

[@KatarinaClaire]

Love these tips, Mark! Also love the wonderful humour at the start of the video XD Those are incredible looking pumpkins and I for one will benefit enormously from this information. Keep up the great work!

[@marymobsby482]

First time pumpkin grower here. Thankyou for this video. Very helpful.

[@Lozyloza1]

Hi Mark, I have a question for you if you don't mind But before I do I would like to say I grazed through 11 years 11 years can you believe it of your videos and didn't find one, so my question to you is...Have you ever grown Spaghetti Squash? I love them but they are very hard to find and I know they would be very expensive to buy, they were very expensive many years ago in Townsville. Also would love a video on growing radishes IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, Thank you so much just can't get enough of your knowledge & expertise . Keep them rolling in gardening GURU!

[@tasgardener7923]

I just leave all mine until the frost kills the vine and they're beautiful and ripe and ready to go

[@electricdreams9446]

Yes I wait until the vine dies off

[@richardwillcoxson6177]

We do the same, the skin also hardens up and stores well

[@BETAmosquito]

There aren't enough daggy Aussies on TV these days so you love to see them pop up on youtube instead. Thanks for the kent pumpkin knowledge. We had some surprise vines come up in the compost heap this year and we have no idea what we're doing!

[@Luckk1990]

One day i will live like this. This is heaven.

[@keithpage5187]

Great work, you make gardening even more interesting than it already was Thank you great video

[@MynewTennesseeHome]

For winter squash, pumpkins, gourds and melons I look at the tendrils next to the fruit...if it's dried up it's time to pick.

[@NatalieYOT]

I love pumpkins and kookaburras!

[@ohio_gardener]

Your pumpkin vine looks a lot like our winter squash did last fall. The Cushaw vine had 8 squash, weighing from 13# to 23# each, and it took over half of the garden area. I use the same method determining when they are ripe - the rind changes from glossy to dull, and the stem start drying. When picked ripe, they store all winter.

[@denissmithbroganthetiger5126]

Back home in Canada you wait until they turn orange and the frost kills the vine.

[@Nulla61]

We don’t get frost in sub tropics

[@lucieann21]

Too hot here. It’s autumn and still hitting 30c most days

[@jasenanderson8534]

Love it, great advice. My pumpkin hasn't fruited yet but it's trying to, and taking over the front yard at the same time. Hoping for some fruits to form soon.

[@whatever-ql5ns]

Make sure your female flowers are pollinated.

[@melodytenisch6232]

Great video, Mark! Thank you for your gardening expertise and good humor. Love your noisy friends and disappearing act!👵😊💕

[@tabethapacion7137]

thanks for your awesome tips. I'm growing pumpkins right now. your video will really help me out when I need to cut my pumpkin from my pumpkin patch. thanks from🇺🇸👍

[@annanagura506]

I grew up on a small holding.a pumpkin is ready when the vine attached to the pumpkin is drying or dry.happy harvesting 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ddeaae]

You make our family laugh at some of your humor. Again, we have learned a ton. Keep Up with your great video's. 👍

[@Jesskorn6966]

My pumpkins are getting huge but arebt showing any of the signs you discussed. Cant actually tell if they sound hollow or not so im glad you made this video. Now I guess I just have to keep an actual careful eye on them since i only have the three and now I'm scared of pests. I just cant believe how big they are and are still not ready!

[@TheNoobsReviews]

I wish I had your knowledge. But then again I always have your channel to turn to. Keep it up. Thanks, The Garden Noob

[@libertymicrofarm6032]

My method of checking ripeness is looking at the curlicue closest to the stem of the pumpkin (or any melon/squash). When the curlicue is brown, the fruit is ready.

[@skinnyfiuk]

we are all coming to see your garden Mark

[@kyliedavies1695]

This was really helpful thanks. I saw you on GA then forgot to go look you up and I’ve moved to half an acre and inherited an awesome pumpkin vine😊

[@cargyle6003]

Thank you! Great explanation. I'm growing pumpkins for the first time, and this video is very helpful.

[@themuffinman001]

Hi Mark! im a sunny coast boy too! would love to see a full fruit tree and full garden inventory again! very inspiring as when i am able to buy property i want to do the same

[@helengoss1292]

Thanks Mark, now I know how to check if my pumpkins are ready in the tropics ... so different to growing in a temperate climate ... the darn plant won't die! Cheers.

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Interesting place to be gardening. That warm weather really gets things growing. We've really been increasing our 'pumpkin' (here on west coast USA we call them 'winter squash') growing. They provide so much and are very easy to grow. Sadly our season is very short here near Portland Oregon. Many things we can't plant until end of June going into July due to the cold soils and constant cold rain. And by mid Sept. things want to start to mildew and rot - powdery mildew etc. Liked your video and will be checking out more. And the name is perfect "Self Sufficient Me". That's why we moved to the country to get more self sufficient. RH

[@caterjunes3426]

Thanks for this! I grew butternut squash for the first time last year, and I had no idea when it was ready to pick! It turned out fine, but I now know I could have harvested it sooner and made room for something else. :-)

[@SD-iy3sp]

MARK, the Cocoberras (sp?) do not overtake the speaking as you might speak. It is actually quite enjoyable for those of us who havent seen nor heard them except in the "cocookaberra sits in the ole' oak tree" song we Americans heard when we were young. Seriously, they aren't overtaking what we the onlookers hear! Rock On! From America!

[@samanthabunt876]

Kookaburra

[@TheTinkerersWife]

Great information. Those are beautiful pumpkins too. The coloration so unusual for what we normally see here in the states.

[@abyssal_phoenix]

Now I know what to watch for if I will grow pumpkins in the future

[@Deanna-x5l]

Thank you, it's my first time growing pumpkins so had no idea when to pick.

[@berthayellowfinch5471]

I hope that flooding is not in your area and that you and your family are dry and safe. Here in Texas, we are getting lots of rain, too. Be safe.

[@cltinturkey]

I enjoy this kind of video helping us to pick ideal fruit and veg and know when to harvest those in our gardens.

[@SIGINTUSMilitary_intelligence]

Great expert advice

[@Mi11sy]

We mostly watch the tendril right next to the pumpkin - and with most melons. When the tendril starts to dry and curl that’s when we pick. Hasn’t failed us yet and is a good quick visual indicator.

[@veronicahodges4540]

Thanks, I checked on mine today. I have 10 ripening nicely and starting to dull off but some need to grow a bit more. Happy the leaves are giving reasonably good protection to the plants and fruit so far. Fingers crossed. I have something getting into my eggplant sadly and spoiling the fruit but not sure what!

[@sofiatulrismawada9489]

I have plant my pumpkin and now they were fruit alot. And this video really help me couse i really dont know when i should star harvest my pumpkin. Thank you mark👍

[@elizabethrowe7262]

Thanks Mark for that info! We have just harvested the Qld blue pumpkins and storing them in the laundry. Have cut one open and had pieces in a roast dinner, was great tasting too. Next will use half or so to make pumpkin soup, my favourite. Love your Cinderella act 😀.

[@nilkolllu5036]

Thank you for the educational guidelines! I really envy your kookaburra residents!!!

[@AussieRN]

Thanks Mark. I will never look at pumpkins the same again. Great tips. 😀

[@wellnessandcountrylife]

Good tips. I usually do what he says when harvesting squash/pumpkins. I am especially drawn to the bitter gourd hanging on the trellis 😃

[@matthewfarrell317]

This was timing, growing pumpkins for the first time, I hate them, but my partner, she loves them. So this will help massively. I did laugh because this reminded me of the video you did about the pumpkins growing out of your normal season. We are having this effect now in Melbourne, all my watermelons instead of slowing down are going into production overdrive. Very unusual.

[@looksirdroids9134]

It's called climate change.

[@matthewfarrell317]

@@looksirdroids9134 If you honestly think that, I have a bridge to sell you. 50+ years of them getting it wrong all the time. Most warming we have had is natural, some of it is from us. You have been had. Have you ever heard of a natural process called La Nina, look it up, get educated and stop looking like the fool. Also, your climate change is about warming, not seasons shifting, our winters will become summers and our summers winters over the next 5000 odd years as the planet rotates on its axis. It's a 10,000-year spin. For that education look up the Egyptian Pyramids, the ones for Giza are for stars currently not visible from the Pyramids, that were when they were built. But anyway, thanks for the laugh, always good to see the gullible fools being frauded from their money and their families futures.

[@countryroads190]

I agree. The Earth is always changing for one reason or another. I believe in being a good steward, of course, but the planet will do its thing whether we puny humans try to stop it or not. Climate change is just a term for fear mongering politicians looking for money and support.

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Mark, its a bit like pumpkin whispering, we have just picked our first crop of pumpkins and though the crop was small, we did it and we are on the way to more home grown veggies, cheers keep bringing out the content.

[@09echols]

Thanks for a few new ways to judge pumpkin ripeness.

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

Unusual way of checking for maturity of the pumpkin, but if it works for you, great. I just look at the tendril right close to the pumpkin between the fruit and the leaf. If the tendril has shriveled up, it's ready to harvest. I still have some I grew last summer with skins as hard as thick plastic. I also leave as much stem on the pumpkin as I can get. Happy growing, I do enjoy your channel.