Pumpkins maturing early due to a rainy season

Pumpkins may already be turning orange in Iowa fields, but that might not hinder sales or a signature event in Anamosa.

“There have been a lot of challenges this year with the rain and the high humidity,” said Dave Sunlin, 41, a competitive pumpkin grower from Anamosa. “But so far, so good for me.”

Chairman Doug Edel said the Anamosa Pumpkinfest should go off without a hitch on its scheduled date of Saturday, October 2.

Growers bring their heaviest pumpkins to compete at the event's Ryan Norlin Memorial Weigh-Off.

Sunlin thought he might have a record-setter last year that was already approaching 1,200 pounds in August.

A flash flood literally took the giant pumpkin downstream, where it floated away during a rainstorm, he said.

Sunlin and other growers said too much moisture could lead to problems such as wilt disease with vine crops this year.

“We're concerned about the wet ground and trying to keep the pumpkins from rotting on the ground,” said Mary Goodlove, of Goodlove Pumpkin Farm, 1870 Covington Rd., Palo. “We've just had an awful lot of rain.”

One young girl who was picking raspberries at the farm wanted to pick a pumpkin that already turned orange, Goodlove said.

The pumpkins likely won't be ready to harvest until September, she said.

Goodlove noted that pumpkins aren't the only thing maturing early.

“I think everything's early this year,” she said.

Gary Knight, 57, of Knight's Farm agreed with Goodlove's assessment.

“It was hot early (with) a lot of rain. Everything was weird this year,” he said. “I had peppers in June. I've never had peppers in June before.”

Knight, who will no longer offer a corn maze, hay rack rides and other events at his Springville farm because of the overlap with the sweet corn season, said pumpkins should be OK to harvest, even if they mature early.

The family sells pumpkins and other produce at the Whittier Market, 1002 County Home Rd. in Whittier.

“Maybe they'll just have to move Halloween a month early this year,” Knight quipped.