SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Since the beginning of June, when pumpkins are normally planted, there has been a portion of Michiana counties that have either seen abnormally dry conditions or have been in moderate drought.
Dry conditions can have different effects on pumpkins during different parts of the growing cycle.
Earlier in the growing season, through the month of June, more of the western portions of Michiana saw dry conditions.
Drier conditions earlier can decrease the number of pumpkins that bloom, though farmers usually have an irrigation system in place to fend off the drought, especially when we’re just seeing abnormally dry conditions, not much water would need to be used.
As we crept through August and September, more northern and eastern portions of Michiana saw moderate drought conditions.
Dry conditions closer to harvest time could affect size, so on the eastern reaches of Michiana, you might find slightly smaller pumpkins as you hit the patch, though it likely won’t be a noticeable size difference.
I spoke to some pumpkin farmers in Michiana, and they told me more of the issues with dry conditions this week come with pumpkin size, not pumpkin amount.
Dave Frushour from Thistleberry Farms says, “Mainly size, yeah, they just won't get as big, and they'll get stressed out a little more, and so then that makes them more susceptible to diseases, lot of, lot of funguses and stuff can affect pumpkin plants and kill them off earlier than you want. So overall, it would affect pumpkin size and the yield that you're going to get.”
I also spoke to Rebecca Miller, from Miller’s Gardens and Goats, who told me the biggest problem her patch is facing is squash bugs.
While we’ve been talking about the adverse effects of dry conditions on pumpkins, you don't want an overly wet year either. Miller says wetter conditions through the year can cause pumpkins to grow larger, but that can also make them split and rot.