Louise's Utopia: How Did My Pumpkin Turn Orange When It Started Out Green?

Well, it's that time of year again to get outside and find some pumpkins! It's always fun to go and collect them from a pumpkin patch, or better yet, grow them yourself. Ever wonder why Jack-O-Lanterns start growing in shades of green, and then by fall, they are that warm orange color that we all love? This year, my family began worrying and wondering about our patch of pumpkins. In fact, they thought I had planted the wrong pumpkin seeds in the field! They asked numerous times why the pumpkins all looked green. I mused. Well, it turns out that all pumpkins need some time in the sun to turn that lovely warm orange hue that we all adore in the fall.

Well, why did my pumpkins grow into green melon balls resembling squash? Here is the reason! In the early days of a pumpkin's life cycle, it is filled with a green pigment called chlorophyll. Most plants in the world are filled with chlorophyll, which is why the plants are green. Chlorophyll absorbs the sun's rays mainly red and blue, and reflects the color green. That is why the pumpkin is green in the early days of its growing cycle. As the days progress and become shorter, a chemical change takes place. The plant stops producing chlorophyll due to cooler temperatures and less sunlight. A pigment called carotene fills the pumpkin's outer skin, replacing the chlorophyll pigments. This carotene causes the pumpkin to shift from green to the recognizable orange. Carotenoids are the exciting reason a pumpkin is orange.

Isn't it interesting what the pumpkin does all summer long? We hardly realize all the changes pumpkins go through to turn orange. They are fascinating. My pumpkin is a little fat, round genius full of carotene. Another great thing about the pumpkin is that the carotene in the pumpkin our body converts into vitamin A when we eat it. Yeah!

This is only a fun summary, but it is exciting to learn about all the science behind growing a pumpkin in your garden. It personally makes my appreciation for our garden fruit friend grow. It is also fun to have those huge orange pumpkins on your steps for the fall! Do you like the one above? We watched it grow at the farm all summer, and that was a fun lesson. Grow one yourself next summer, you'll be glad that you did! Quick note for my city friends. A pumpkin can grow on a trellis. It doesn't require much space this way, and it is fun to watch the process, so go for it! I hope many pumpkins grow in your space.

I was personally pleased with my pumpkins this year. I have grown plenty of pumpkins in the past, but the last few years have been hard. I had a good crop this year! I plan to grow even more next, what a surprise. But I have to wait until the spring and try again, darn. Gardening is such a great hobby; there is always hope for more flowers, vegetables, and fruit next season! Spring is coming, can't wait!