Texas pumpkin yields down, quality up

Texas Crop and Weather Report – Oct. 6, 2020

Pumpkin growers are expanding their variety offerings from the traditional orange jack-o-lantern to meet growing demand for the decorative fruit.
Pumpkin growers are expanding their variety offerings from the traditional orange jack-o-lantern to meet growing demand for the decorative fruit.

Floydada pumpkin harvest nears completion in a season with below-average yields and above-average quality, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Mark Carroll, AgriLife Extension agent, Floyd County, said producers were reporting yields were down 20%- 30% compared to last year, but higher quality due to low disease pressure.

Carroll said very little rain and low humidity led…