A Hearty Harvest

A canopy of orange, red and yellow hues envelopes the streets in the city of Evanston. Fall has arrived. Halloween is less than three weeks away, and many city residents have gone in search of the perfect canvas for a spooky face: pumpkins. This year provided an ideal growing season for the soon to be jack-o’-lanterns.

The region, from northeastern Illinois to southeastern Wisconsin, saw a trend of fluctuating weather this fall season, oscillating equally below and above daily forecasted temperatures in the months of September and October. The fall season also brought sufficient rainfall on a few occasions; however, precipitation levels fell just below average throughout the region. So, how did the forecast translate in terms of pumpkin growth?

Kurt Herrmann, a pumpkin farmer and vendor of Genesee Deport, WI, couldn’t have been more pleased with the weather conditions. They were ideal for his Atlantic Giant Pumpkins—a crop he cultivates annually. “The weather was near perfect for my Giant Pumpkin variety’s growth this season.” Herrmann continued, “There was ample periodic rainfall, and we had no early frosts to worry about.” Herrmann noted the lack any standout threatening weather this fall, as well. His pumpkins are of remarkable quality this year, one weighing 1235lbs.

Schuett Farms of Mukwonago, WI, specializes in cultivating Connecticut Field Pumpkins. Head farmer Rob Schuett talked with contempt regarding this fall’s weather.

“It was cooler than normal, so it put things off more as far as crop maturing.” Schuett revealed, “The yield was average, not real good, not real bad. We did have a lot of rain, more so in the summer, and too much rain is not a good thing. It creates diseases in the pumpkins. [The rain] backed off a bit in the last few months though.”

Dave Creuziger, chief farmer at Land of the Giants pumpkin farm in Sturtevant, WI, had a different opinion about the generally cool temperatures and periodic rainfall. He noted that his Ghost Pumpkins, known for their pale facade, did not fare well through the elements due to sub-average temperatures on occasions. Damp conditions were also conducive to pumpkin rot. Creuziger did remark, “It was a good year for the [Giant variety] pumpkins. I let the weather take care of them!”

A rainy and crisp forecast is expected to settle in the low 50-degree spectrum as October progresses. However, no matter the conditions come Halloween, there surely will be no shortage of festive fun for residents of Evanston.