This is the perfect time for pumpkin planting, harvesting and eating, depending on where you live in Australia.
PUMPKIN SEASON
With Australia's climate so diverse, Lyn Bagnall, author of a target="_blank" href="http://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/title/easy-organic-gardening-and-moon-planting/">Easy Organic Gardening and Moon Planting, says "pumpkin season" can be confusing.
In the lower eastern and the southern states pumpkins are grown from spring and then harvested late autumn and early winter, she says.
In warmer regions such as North Queensland, however, gardeners begin planting in autumn and harvest in late winter.
HARVESTING
Knowing when your pumpkins are ready for harvesting depends on what type you're growing, says Bagnall.
Queensland Blue pumpkins have a tough skin and are best harvested when the vine starts to die off, she says.
Varieties with a thin skin, such as Butternut and Jap (also referred to as Kabocha), can be harvested when the tendril closest to the pumpkin begins to turn brown.
If you pick your pumpkin too early, says Bagnall, it hasn't developed its rich colour and the taste is likely to be poor.
"With pumpkins the flavour and the colour develops closer to maturity," she says.
STORAGE
Pumpkins with a thin skin do not keep for long once harvested, but thick-skinned varieties can sit in your garden shed for weeks.
The main thing, Bagnall says, is to keep the bottoms of stored pumpkins dry.
"What we've found very helpful when growing them is, as the pumpkins start to mature, we put a bit of broken foam box underneath them to keep them clear of the soil," Bagnall says.
"If they're in contact with soil, the soil's damp and then you'll find things like slaters and other little bugs come around and nibble at them. Once they break the integrity of the skin they're not going to mature."
She advises keeping pumpkins in a cool, dry place. If they are exposed to harsh sunlight they are at risk of getting sunscald, which results in dull grey patches on fruit and vegetables.
Thanks, very helpful hints!