BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Growing commercial and ornamental pumpkins presents a myriad of challenges. University of Illinois (U of I) Extension gourd specialists, educators and other industry stakeholders will gather during an Extension Field Day on Thursday, September 5 at Eckert’s Orchard in Belleville to discuss 2024’s production challenges and share research updates. Illinois is the number one state in both pumpkin production and processing. 

“This will be Extension’s sixth pumpkin field day since 2014; we try to do one every even-numbered year,” said Nathan Johaning, Extension commercial agriculture educator. “The idea is to get in-field, practical applied research outreach into the hands of the pumpkin growers of our state and neighboring states. The field day will offer information on production practices, variety testing, pest management, research updates from specialists (and more).” 

Johaning said the field day will allow growers to ask questions, share what they see at home and build networks with fellow attendees. Sample varieties in the trials will include specialty pumpkins of all shapes and colors, gourds, Jack O’ Lantern, pie-sized and newly released variations. 

“We have right at 80 different pumpkin varieties that we have planted out in partnership with Eckert’s. In partnering with Mohammad (Babadoost, U of I plant biologist) we have some fungicide trials out, looking at some different fungicide programs and their effectiveness, on common diseases. We’ll also have updates on his research,” said Johaning.

Fellow Extension educator Elizabeth Wahle and Dr. Kacie Athey, an entomologist from the U of I School of Integrative Biology will join Johaning in offering guidance to growers attending the field day, as will Dr. Alan Walters, Southern Illinois University professor of vegetable science and breeding.

Among the common pumpkin insect pests that have challenged Illinois growers, particularly southern Illinois growers, in 2024 are cucumber beetles and squash bugs. Growers in attendance can expect to glean insight into the latest best management practices for managing pressure from these common pests, according to Johaning. Encouraging the establishment of habitat for pollinators in pumpkin production will also be a topic of discussion. 

“You definitely need pollinators to grow pumpkins,” he said. “Dr. Walters and a graduate student of his will share their research on native pumpkin pollinators and advice on the best management for monitoring pollination (and other) things you should do.”

Attendees will also have an opportunity to network with industry vendors. Representatives from the seed, chemical and fertility amendment industries are expected to be on hand to showcase their latest products.

With 80 different varieties to peruse, the variety trial aspect of the field day promises to be very informative for attendees, Johaning noted. “There have been a lot of new developments in markings and colors, shapes and sizes of pumpkins. For growers to be able to see those growing and how they look is a lot better than just seeing a picture in a seed catalog. We try to make this event very field-oriented rather than lecture-oriented or something we’d do in a winter meeting,” he said.

Challenges to production for pumpkin growers will, of course, be front and center at the meeting. “It’s been a roller coaster year with really dry hot spells to really wet spells and back and forth,” said Johaning. “From what I’ve heard and seen in southern Illinois I think the crop looks pretty good without any abnormal disease issues. Certainly there has been an issue with (excess) water in areas that received some of these intense pop-up downpours and various areas that have gotten monsoon-type events. These have caused some localized problems but overall from reports I hear the pumpkin crop has been good, with average or normal disease pressure.”

Recent cool nights in the Midwest should aid the pumpkin crop, the Extension educator said. “(Pumpkins) love the warm weather but they also crave the cooler nights. I think this (recent) reprieve from the heat is being appreciated by pumpkin plants across the state,” said Johaning.

There is no cost to attend the field day, which will be held at Eckert Farms, 951 S. Green Mount Road in Belleville, Illinois. Advance registration by Sept. 2 is required to receive lunch. Dress accordingly for outdoor conditions, as the event will go on rain or shine. Register to attend at go.illinois.edu/2024PumpkinFieldDay.  

Johaning may be reached at njohann@illinois.edu or by phone at 618-939-3434.