HAMILTON – With Halloween right around the corner, rainy conditions have had an adverse impact on the state's pumpkin costs, driving up the prices in some areas.

Although a shortage in pumpkins may be occurring in some parts of the country, one local farmer sold his entire crop thanks to the foresight of early planning.

"I planted my pumpkins early — I planted them around June 20," said Reid Nevins of Hamilton. "Because I planted them early, I was able to harvest them early. I put all of mine under tarps and on trailers before the rain moved in. Pumpkins lay on the ground and when it's wet, they start to rot quickly. I planted about three acres of pumpkins – this was my first year to do it. I sold every one that I had to sell."

According to Ken Hood of the MSU Extension Service, Nevins was fortunate with his crop.

“Mississippi’s pumpkin crop has been spotty depending on what area of the state the pumpkins are in. Overall, there was a lot of loss," said Hood, MSU Extension professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

“This is the case all over the country, especially in the Northeast where they are experiencing a pumpkin shortage,” he said.

“Prices are higher than last season, mainly because of the shortages in most of the country,” Hood said. “The prices are ranging from 29 cents per pound up to 59 cents per pound wholesale. Last year, the average was about 30 cents per pound wholesale.”

Hood said shortages will be seen in carving and decorative pumpkins, and also in canned pumpkin meat and products. To compensate, some retailers are replacing pumpkins with small gourds to sell for decorative purposes.

“Of course the shortage is not good news, but Mississippi is not a big pumpkin-producing state,” Hood said. “What was harvested here is selling for good prices.”

How To Pick The Perfect Pumpkin

1. Look at the color. Pumpkins with a rich orange color are of higher quality. Pumpkins with a less orange appearance would be of lower quality. Depending on what you're going to be using your pumpkin for, this makes a significant difference. The quality of the pumpkin also influences the length of its shelf-life.

2. Test for maturity. A mature pumpkin, which is preferable when selecting for a pie or other recipe, is resistant to scratching. Use your thumbnail to scratch the pumpkin. If it scratches easily, the pulp may not be ripe or fully grown.

3. Look at the size. If you want a pumpkin for a Jack o' lantern, a larger well-shaped pumpkin would be preferable. Smaller, heavier pumpkins contain more pulp and are better for pies and other recipes.

4. Avoid pumpkins with surface damage. Damage to the surface of the pumpkin quickly leads to a shortened shelf-life and decay.

5. Pick one that just looks "right." You know your pumpkin's purpose. If you're strictly using it for decorating purposes, you may just automatically know your pumpkin when you see it. Size, color and surface characteristics may all add into what makes a pumpkin "right" for your purposes.

Source: http://www.ehow.com