Patch to porch

Ag With Ally Every year in October pumpkins have their own national spotlight. From pumpkin patches to carving pumpkins to pumpkin spice candles and enjoying plenty of pumpkin desserts during Thanksgiving pumpkins are a fall stable. But do you know the work farmers put into giving us those pumpkins we most certainly enjoy? While pumpkins may be best known for their role in Halloween decorations, their journey begins months before they ever reach a front porch. In Oklahoma, pumpkins are typically planted in the late spring or early summer, with harvest taking place in the fall. That means farmers must plan ahead to ensure their crops are ready in time for the Halloween season. Growing pumpkins takes more than simply planting a seed and waiting for it to grow. Pumpkins need warm weather, well-drained soil, adequate moisture and plenty of sunshine. They also depend on pollinators, especially bees, to transfer pollen between flowers so the plants can produce fruit.

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