Pumpkins

National reports of fungus and wet weather threatening U.S. pumpkin crops had pumpkin lovers spooked ahead of Halloween and Thanksgiving. But pumpkin farmers and experts said there is nothing to fear locally.

Steve Leesman’s move into organic crop production began several years ago as an answer to consumer demand and he has continued this diverse farming operation in Logan County, Illinois.

Halloween is becoming one of the most popular holidays for collectors. Of course, children still dress in costumes and go door to door for treats, but the holiday items collectors are more interested in are the decorations that are created each year.

It’s that time of year when pumpkins are being harvested and readying to carve. And while carving a pumpkin can be a fun, festive, fall family event — as long as you know what you’re doing — it’s important to do so safely.

Two zebras that escaped from a suburban Chicago pumpkin farm had travelers on a state highway doing double takes as the exotic animals hit the road during their brief taste of freedom.

At Braeutigam’s Orchard, the company priorities start with a “P.” That includes people, peaches and pumpkins.

Pumpkin growers dread the tiny tan scabs that form on their fruit, each lesion a telltale sign of bacterial spot disease. The specks don’t just mar the fruit’s flesh — they provide entry points for rot-inducing fungus and other pathogens that can destroy pumpkins and other cucurbits from the inside out.

The annual Illinois Specialty Crop Conference will bring growers together through its new interactive, virtual format Jan. 6-8.