Picking the perfect pumpkin: 5 things you need to know

Pumpkins havebeen creeping up earlier than usual this year because of the hot and dry weather. The news hassomepumpkin patch farmers worriedthe early start will make for a disappointing Halloween.

• B.C. wineries celebrating earliest harvest on record
• B.C. apples arrive earlier and mushier due to hot summer

"They've been ready to pick for a while, at least threeweeks early this year. We need to move Halloween up a little bit," saidAlbert Anderson ofAldor Acres in Langley.

Anderson opened up the gates to his seven-hectarepumpkin patch aweek early. He says customers will have to be a little pickier this year when picking their jack-o'-lantern.

Top 5 things

He has some tips on how to make your pumpkin survive until Halloween.

1. Pick a nice hard pumpkin that doesn't have anyholes
2. Wipe it down with a mild bleach solution, especially around the stem to kill any bacteria
3. Don't put thepumpkin on concrete or black top surface where it will get more heat
4. Instead put the pumpkin in soil, on the lawnor on top of a piece ofcardboard on your deck
5. Pumpkins bruise. Give them space by putting them in a corner

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelled Pickingthe perfect pumpkinwiththe CBC's Rick Cluff onThe Early Edition.