Do you know the pumpkin man?

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

There were 150 specially designed pumpkins at Corley Ranch, thanks to the botanical and artistic efforts of Genoa resident John Howell.

"I find the right pumpkin in the right size," said Howell. "Pumpkins are like people - they're all different."

After he finds the right pumpkin, he engraves a design on its skin. To keep from moving the pumpkin too much and risk snapping the vine, he has to get on the ground.

"When the pumpkins are light green and about half size, I use a ball-point pen and lightly score the skin until the sap comes. Then when it heals, it gets a callous like cantaloupe netting," he said. "It brings out the little boy in you."

This is the fifth year Howell has engraved pumpkins at the Corley Ranch. Customers choose their designs for small to jumbo-sized pumpkins and Howell starts making designs on the pumpkins at the end of July.

People commission jack-o'-lanterns personalized with business names and company logos, or with the names of children and grandchildren.

The Atlantic Giant is the biggest of the pumpkins and Howell had a 100-pound example in the pumpkin patch.

"This one will make an outstanding pumpkin pie," Howell said about the salmon-colored giant, "maybe 100 pies."

Most of the pumpkins in the field are open pollinated just like the pumpkins in backyard gardens, but Howell uses self-pollinating techniques to grow pumpkins for the seeds harvested to use for next year's planting.

Howell is a retired plant breeder in vegetable seed research from the Northrup, King & Co. seed company, where he worked with more than pumpkins.

He and his wife Georgia, a retired preschool teacher, moved to Carson Valley in 2001.

"Georgia and I thought we were retired until we met Paula and Jon Corley," said Howell.

A collaboration began after the Howells visited the Corley Ranch and recognized the Corleys when they were out to dinner.

"They came to our table and introduced themselves," said Paula Corley. "Jon Corley said he was thinking about growing pumpkins and John Howell lit up and said if you want to do that, let me know.

"John Howell is our seed scientist and told us what would grow here, what pumpkins would make good pies. He told me that the only things that will kill pumpkins is frost and a knife," Paula Corley said.

The Carson Valley Harvest Festival continues through October at the Corley Ranch. Information at corleyranch.com

Carson Valley Harvest Festival

The fifth annual Carson Valley Harvest Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend in October at the Corley Ranch, 859 Highway 395, a mile south of Pinenut Road in Gardnerville. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 3 to 17, free for children 2 and younger. Information, corleyranch.com

Besides, flowers, corn and potatoes, there are 32 varieties of pumpkins, winter squash and gourds grown and sold at the Corley Ranch. The pumpkins are planted in the third week of June and are harvested in September.

The pumpkins are orange, red, white, yellow and gray. The Casper pumpkin has smooth white skin. The red Cinderella pumpkin is red and donut-shaped. The New England Blue Hubbard squash makes good soup and interesting jack-o'-lanterns. The Triple Treat pumpkin's triple treats are that they make tasty pies, have good seeds for toasting and they have an aesthetically pleasing classic pumpkin appearance.