Pumpkins
Pumpkins
Key Requirements
| Land | Low to Medium |
| Labor | Medium to High |
| Capital | Low |
Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.
Markets
- Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands
- CSA
- U-Pick
- Wholesale
- Auction
Pests & Disease
Insect pests of pumpkin include aphids, leafhoppers, cucumber beetles, squash vine borer, spider mites and squash bugs. Black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew and plectosporium are the most important diseases of late summer and fall cucurbits in Kentucky.
$3745
Cost per Acre
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
$295
Returns per Acre
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Challenges
- Weed management is critical for pumpkin production with limited herbicides available
- Harvesting pumpkins can be challenging due to hand-harvesting and gentle handling to prevent fruit rot
- Buyers requiring no-till production to avoid washing pumpkins. May not be feasible for growers who do not have access to the proper equipment for no-till
Opportunities
- Can be stored for two to three months with the proper temperature and relative humidity
- Consistent consumer demand for pumpkins