Halloween will soon be here, and that means it’s time to start preparing those pumpkins for the porch. Guthrie County Iowa State University Extension has some tips to make sure you have the best pumpkins for fall tricks and treats.

Pumpkins should be harvested when they have a formed a deep, consistent orange color and the rinds are hard. Extension recommends leaving several inches of stem when removing pumpkins from the vine. They should be cured at a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees and stored in a cool, dry location. The same process can also be applied for squash. Mature pumpkins can be left in the garden or field until the vines are killed by a light frost or freezing temperatures.