2024 Pumpkin and Fall Ornamentals to be on the Lookout For!
Chuck Bornt, Team Leader, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Pumpkin and Fall Ornamentals to be On the Lookout For!
Chuck Bornt, CCE ENYCHP
At the beginning of January, I was asked by my colleague to give an update on new pumpkin and fall ornamentals that growers might want to take a look at. Now, we haven't done a pumpkin variety trial since 2020 and I know that many of you probably already have your seed orders in, but in my experience, there is always room for a couple more! With a couple of quick emails to our seed industry representatives, my inbox was flooded with a slew of new fall ornamentals that either released this year or are due to release in 2025. To view the slide show of the variety update, click here.
One of the most exciting things for me to learn about is the number of new releases with Powdery Mildew resistance/tolerance. It was also nice to see that there are quite a few new all white varieties being release as well as some new munchkin types. The warty craze is still going strong with some new release in that category as well and of course lots of new Jack-O-Lantern types. Reviewing all of these new varieties got me thinking about the possibility of doing a variety trial this summer, so if any of you reading this is interested in hosting us on your farm for a variety trial, please let me know!
I would like to thank all the seed companies that sent me information on their new lines: Seedway, Outstanding Seed, Rupp Seed and Stokes Seed.
Pumpkin and Fall Ornamentals to be On the Lookout For! (pdf; 7406KB)
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series
January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
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I thought I was covered for that! Farm Insurance Webinar Series, Jan-Feb 2026
January 13, 2026 : Session 1: Insurance and Risk Management 101
Insurance and Risk Management 101. This first webinar will cover many of the general provisions found in insurance policies and describe some of the terms to be aware of when you are considering your options. Steve Hadcock, Capital District Hort Team and Greg Murk, FarmNet.
January 20, 2026 : Session 2: Liability Insurance
Coverage for the risk that your business will cause harm to someone. Are you having people on your farm or selling a food product? You might need liability insurance. Robert Hadad, Cornell Vegetable Program, Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
January 27, 2026 : Session 3:Protecting Yourself from Disasters (Crop Insurance, USDA FSA programs and Flood Insurance)
Are you protected from a weather event on your farm? Learn about your options for Disaster Coverage (crop insurance, FSA programs, flood insurance). Elizabeth Higgins, Eastern NY Commercial Hort Program.
February 3, 2026 : Session 4: Insuring People (health, life and disability insurance)
Options for health insurance, life insurance and disability insurance, and how they can help farmers and their employees. Maire Ullrich, CCE Orange County and Lucas Smith, Cornell Ag Workforce Development
February 10, 2026 : Session 5: Property Insurance
Insuring your infrastructure, equipment, and livestock from loss. Learn about the types of coverage, and the risks they reduce. Colin Hostetter, Tri-County Ag Team, Desiree Keever, CCE Delaware County and Steve Glick, Kevin Daniels Agency.
How to Diversify or Scale Up with Confidence for Profitability - Inspired by Annie's Project
February 4, 2026
February 11, 2026
February 25, 2026
Do you have an idea for a new enterprise to add value to your farm? Maybe you're considering scaling up for a potential market opportunity but just aren't sure if it's a good fit for your business. Join Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Allegany County, Broome County, Madison County, Onondaga County, Niagara County, Tioga County, the Niagara Small Business Development Center, and the Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Team for a hybrid series on Wednesdays in February, starting on February 4th that will answer these questions and more. Annie's Project seeks to empower farm women through education, networks and resources. We welcome, and encourage, learning and sharing amongst farm women as we help you grow as decision-makers and leaders on your farm.