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 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
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2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
Kinderhook, NY
Join specialists Heather Kase, Scott Cosseboom, Nathaniel Westrick, and Anna Wallis for updates and a review of berry phenology and pest management. Presentations will be given on berry horticultural and pest management considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and minor fruit crops. Light refreshment & snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but there is no fee for attendance. 1.00 DEC credit will be available in categories 10, 1a, and 22
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August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.