A2O-UncMler Fanning, Saturday, May 10, 1997 ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Fanning Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) —Pumpkin production is big busi ness in the Northeast and Mid- Atlantic. Pumpkins are second only to sweet com in number of vegetable farms growing the crop, according to a recent survey, indi cated one Penn State expert. In 1996,54 percent of vegetable growers grew pumpkins, accord ing to Dr. Alan Mac Nab, plant pathologist from Penn State. Mac Nab spoke about some of the methods growers can use to manage diseases in pumpkins ear ly this year at the first Penn State sponsored Mid-Atlantic Pumpkin School held in March at the Eden Resort Inn and Conference Center in Lancaster. The school focused on pumpkin Pumpkins Sprout Big Business In production and provided growers and industry representatives with the latest information on culture and management techniques for the crop, according to Tim Elkner. Lancaster horticulture agent, who also helped coordinate the school. Dr. Charles McClurg, depart ment of horticulture at the Univer sity of Maryland, provided infor mation on how to select for good quality pumpkins, how to properly handle them, and proper storage methods. “Start with good quality pump kins,” noted McClurg. ‘To pro duce good quality, select a variety that has characteristics you desire. Use cultural practices that contri bute to good quality fruit.” Handle strength and integrity are important, indicated McClurg. It’s important to select varieties accordingly. In general, smaller fruited types have better handles than large, “face-type” varieties. When handling or moving pumpkins, use as much care as possible to avoid physical damage. Throwing and dropping fruit can break off handles and cause punc ture injury to fruit walls from other handles. For direct sales, McClurg told growers to try to have parking near the pumpkin areas so buyers don’t have to cany their purchases very far. Provide carts or wagons for customers. Also, sort through your pump kin displays periodically to remove damaged and diseased fruit. Outdoor displays should be set up in an area with good drain age so the fruit are not sitting in mud or water following rain. Bob Rouse, University of Mary land, provided data on materials and methods used in growing pumpkins on plastic mulch. Rouse also provided his “ABC’s” of pumpkin growing: • A is for Advertise. • B is for Bees at last one strong hive per acre. • C is for Cover crops use hairy vetch, rye, small grains, etc. • D is for Disease management Growers should leant to control black rot powdery mildew, downy mildew, plectosporium, phytoph thora, soft rot virus, etc., using a total program. LAND PRIDE Ba Quality equipment from a quality company. bSL 0(# 4 w- GROOMING MOWER 3-Spindle, 48”, 60”. 72” & 90” vv REAR BLADES 48” Through 120” V ROTARY CUTTERS 48” Through 120” LANDSCAPE RAKES 48” Through 96” __ MONDAY- jk, W# Ship Purls SSS. «' lIP-NON Fit #7, Box 40$, Übwton, PA 17M2 RMI9 1 Mite Wftst OfScfitiHfmtom rtT449-2000 f tractors * equipment"] PILOTS! KELLER BROS. AIRPORT HR' WIWWW nr tnm Drt«n>l» Pa. • E is for the E 8236 Vegetable Recommendation Book from Maryland. • F is for Fertility do Wi" overdo it • G is for Great Wye Pumpkin Patch or green, healthy leaves. • His for learning about Harvest and storage. • I is for using Irrigation when needed. • J is for the Jack of all trades the Jack-Be-Little varieties. • K is for who pumpkins impress the most Kids. • L is for Lime to correct soil pH. • M is for Marketing. Learn to do your homework. (Turn to Pag* A2l) M OVER SEEDERS & PRIMARY SEEDERS 34” Through 76” NEW LANDPRIDE ALL-FLEX MOWERS 11’, 14*. 16.8’ & 21.9 Ft. Cutting Widths II K U B 0 T P' Serving Cenlrel P* Since 1921 BOX SCRAPERS 42” Through 96” V PULVERIZERS 48” Through 84” 48” And 72” 1950 FmHvifte Pi*#, UncMtof, PA 17601 At Rout. 30 4 PhMtftki 717-569*2500