Halloween pumpkins: A festive fall tradition

Kim Vaughn
Communications

Washington state comes alive with the spirit of Halloween during the fall season. As autumn settles in, the farmlands transform into a sea of orange as pumpkin patches open their gates to eager visitors. From the coastal regions to the eastern plains, visitors can explore the fields to find the perfect pumpkin, enjoy hayrides, and even get lost in the challenging corn mazes. In this short blog, we'll explore the enchanting world of Halloween pumpkins in Washington State.

Growing pumpkins in Washington state

In Washington, you want to plant your pumpkin seeds in late May to early July. The ideal temperature range for pumpkins is 55-60 degrees. Vines can reach up to 30 feet so allow for ample space. Most pumpkins need 90-120 days to mature. 

A member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the pumpkin’s relatives are the cucumber, watermelon, and even the loofa! Pumpkins are native to the Americas and archaeological digs in the southwest and Mexico have unearthed evidence of growing pumpkins dating back to 5,000 B.C. They eventually made their way into European cuisines. 

For making pies and other delectables, you want to look for smaller, rounder varieties that have a sweeter taste and tend to have a thicker flesh.

The best kind of pumpkins for carving are the large field pumpkins. They tend to be stringy, but the seeds can be roasted with a bit of salt for a delicious treat. 

Origin of the Jack-o-lantern

The origin of jack-o'-lanterns is a fascinating journey rooted in ancient Celtic and Irish traditions. The practice can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated around 2,000 years ago. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, and the Celts believed it was a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, with malevolent spirits roaming the earth. To ward off these spirits, the Celts carved frightening faces into turnips and other root vegetables, placing candles or other light sources inside them. These carved vegetables were believed to both protect homes and light the way for the souls of the deceased. The term "jack-o'-lantern" itself originated from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack who was said to have tricked the devil. As the tradition spread, it eventually evolved to the use of pumpkins, which were more readily available in the United States, giving rise to the iconic Halloween decoration we know today.

Pumpkin contest

If you haven’t noticed by now, we love Halloween at WSDA. This year, WSDA held a pumpkin carving contest in partnership with Washington Grown. Carvers entered their pumpkins by posting their photos to social media using the hashtag #WAPumpkinContest, tagged WSDA and WAGrown, then submitted their photos on the WSDA contest website for a chance to win a $250 grocery gift card! This year's winner was Ethan Estalilla for his cool leaf pumpkin (far right photo). Congratulations Ethan!

Halloween season is a time when communities come together to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the fall harvest. From family trips to the pumpkin patch to enjoying pumpkin-spiced treats and participating in traditional carving contests, pumpkins are woven into the very fabric of the autumn tapestry. So, whether you're an enthusiast for all things pumpkin or simply seeking to embrace the charm of fall, pumpkin culture has something for everyone.

Happy Halloween!

The crisp charm of Washington apples

Kim Vaughn
Communications

Washington state, with its diverse climate, fertile soil, and dedicated orchardists, is renowned as the "Apple State." In this blog, we'll explore the rich history and delightful diversity of apples in Washington, as well as some interesting facts and reasons why these apples are so special.

Washington's apple legacy

Washington's love affair with apples began in the 1820s when the first orchard was planted, and pioneers and settlers recognized the region's potential for apple cultivation. There are five main growing regions in the state. They are:

1. Okanogan
2. Lake Chelan
3. Wenatchee Valley
4. Columbia Basin
5. Yakima Valley

Today, there are over 175,000 acres of apple orchards, averaging around 100 acres in size, although some orchards are as big as 5,000 acres. It takes an estimated 40,000 pickers to harvest all of Washington’s apples. Washington’s apples are shipped to over 60 countries and according to the Washington Apple Commission is the largest apple-producing state in the United States! 

A bounty of varieties

Washington’s apple orchards are home to more than 2,000 apple varieties, but a few have gained international acclaim. The most famous include:

• Red Delicious: Known for its iconic, bright red color and sweet, juicy flesh, the Red Delicious is one of the most recognized apples in the world.
  
• Gala: With its crisp texture and a unique combination of sweet and slightly tart flavors, Gala apples are a popular choice for fresh snacking.
  
• Honeycrisp: This apple variety has taken the world by storm with its perfect balance of sweetness, juiciness, and crispness.
  
• Granny Smith: Loved for its tartness, this green apple is a go-to for baking, making apple pies, or enjoying as a refreshing snack.
  
• Fuji: Originally from Japan but now a Washington favorite, Fuji apples are sweet, crunchy, and perfect for salads or eating fresh.
  
• Pink Lady: With its distinctive pink skin and crisp, tart-sweet flavor, Pink Lady apples add a splash of color and zest to any dish.

For top-quality apples suitable for pie-making, cider production, snacking, or essential tree maintenance tips, explore the Washington Apple Commission's website for more details.

 

The healthier choice

Did you know that eating one large apple provides 20% of the recommended daily value of dietary fiber, 8% of the antioxidant Vitamin C, and 7% of your day’s potassium? All that deliciousness is packed into only 130 calories — with no fat, no sodium, and no cholesterol.

The USDA’s dietary guidelines recommend eating two cups of fresh fruit a day. That’s the equivalent of:

• 2 small apples, or
• 1 large apple, or
• 2 cups of sliced or diced apples.
  
  

Washington apple pride: Nurturing the nation's best

Washington State's apple orchards are not just a source of economic prosperity, but also a symbol of pride and a source of joy for the locals. These apples have a unique combination of flavor, crispness, and sweetness that sets them apart. Whether you're munching on a Red Delicious while hiking in the Cascades or enjoying a Honeycrisp at a local farmer's market, Washington's apples will leave an unforgettable taste in your mouth. Washington is proud to be the top producer of apples in the country!

Bird flu returns, flock owners urged to enhance safety measures

Even with the spring and summer-long respite, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is once again on the move as wild birds migrate south to warmer climates. This poses a threat to domestic flocks, making the adoption of enhanced measures of biosecurity crucial in minimizing detections. Biosecurity is the essential practice that attempts to control the introduction and spread of disease.

Since February 2022, HPAI H5N1 has been circulating throughout the United States, with a new domestic backyard detection in King County reported this week by Washington State Department of Agriculture veterinarians.

To protect poultry flocks from accidental exposure to HPAI, biosecurity remains critical. Dr. Amber Itle, the Washington State Veterinarian, urges bird owners to continue taking extra biosecurity measures. She emphasizes that the biggest risk factor to date is direct contact with wild waterfowl, which increases the environmental viral load and the risk of transmission to domestic flocks.

There have also been reports of mammals contracting the virus, most recently in seals. All around the state and surrounding areas, cases of HPAI have been found in wild birds and in domestic flocks in Canada. This means the virus is in the environment. Biosecurity is a critical to protect our flocks.

Enhanced biosecurity not only safeguards flocks but also preserves farms from diseases like HPAI.

“By implementing robust biosecurity protocols, we can mitigate the spread of HPAI and ensure the health and well-being of our poultry industry,” Dr. Itle added.

Additional biosecurity measures include:

• Separate domestic birds from wild birds
• Separate domestic poultry from domestic waterfowl
• Discourage wild birds from coming near your flocks
• Only feed domestic birds indoors and remove feed at night (when wild birds often feed)
• Lock up your flock’s feed in containers with lids
• Remove bird feeders that might attract wild waterfowl
• Fence off the ponds
• Cover the chicken yard with netting

Veterinarians urge bird owners to stay vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect your flocks and ultimately the food supply. If detections spread to commercial flocks, the supply of food in our state could be impacted, along with the price for these products.

WSDA reminds flock owners of the domestic sick bird online reporting tool. The online tool complements the existing WSDA sick bird reporting hotline as well as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online reporting tool for wild birds. Owners are urged to report sick birds to the state veterinarian’s office and help keep bird flu at bay.

Visit agr.wa.gov/birdflu to stay current on bird flu detections and get biosecurity tips. 

Eggplant delights in Washington State

Daniel Schafer
Communications

Eggplant, known for its deep purple hue and versatile culinary applications, can be a delightful addition to your plate or your garden. In this blog, we'll delve into the particulars of growing eggplants in Washington, and why they deserve to be this week’s Washington Crop Spotlight. 

Eggplant production

Eggplant production in the United States has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2019, the U.S. produced over 580,000 metric tons of it for an estimated value of $81 million, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. And while Americans eat just over one pound of it per year on average, it’s not one of the premier Washington crops. But as we’ll see in the next section, that doesn’t mean you can’t add it to your Pacific Northwest garden.

Ideal environmental conditions and soil quality

Eggplants, scientifically known as Solanum melongena, thrive in warm, sunny climates. In tropical climates they can be grown as a perennial. Washington State's climate is diverse, which means we grow our eggplants as annuals. But they can be successfully grown in regions with a long growing season nevertheless, particularly in Eastern Washington, where they can get the long string of hot days needed to thrive. 

To ensure optimal growth, plant eggplants in well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0-6.5. They require a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day and protection from strong winds, as they are sensitive to extreme weather conditions.

Health benefits of eating eggplants

Eggplants are not only delicious but also offer a range of health benefits. They are low in calories and a good source of dietary fiber. Rich in antioxidants, such as nasunin, eggplants can help protect cells from damage. They also contain important nutrients like potassium, which can contribute to heart health. Additionally, the skin of eggplants is loaded with chlorogenic acid, known for its potential to lower blood pressure and manage diabetes. Including eggplants in your diet can be a flavorful way to promote your overall well-being.

Explore Washington-grown eggplants

Coupled with their rich flavor and health benefits, eggplants make an excellent addition to your garden or shopping list. What’s more, you can savor the taste of local, freshly picked eggplants and support Washington's agriculture by visiting a u-pick farm. Check out this website to find a u-pick farm near you!

Washington’s sweet corn surprise

Daniel Schafer
Communications

You might think of corn as a distinctly midwestern crop. Drive through Illinois or Iowa and you’ll see  field after field of it. But corn is an ancient grain with roots in the western hemisphere. According to the Smithsonian Institute, “Humans first started selectively breeding corn’s wild ancestor teosinte around 9,000 years ago in Mexico.” The story of corn is a fascinating one, especially because it has become a central crop for the United States. In fact, it is grown in every state. In this blog, we’ll explore corn’s role in Washington agriculture.

Sweet corn and field corn

The reason you might see so much corn on a road trip across the United States is that it’s the number one field crop in the country in terms of production. But there are two main types of corn: sweet corn and field corn, and each has its own uses. Sweet corn is eaten fresh, and it’s the type you get at the grocery store in the can or from the freezer section. Meanwhile, field corn is used to produce products like cornmeal. It’s also used for cattle feed and ethanol.

It’s primarily field corn that is grown in the fields of Illinois and Iowa. Meanwhile, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin are the top three states for sweet corn production.

Washington's sweet corn

Grant County leads the way in sweet corn production in Washington, but farms across the state grow it. In fact, in 2022 Washington farmers harvested 69,500 acres of sweet corn on the way to a total production of 14,565,800 CWT and a total production value of $114,173,000, according to USDA.

But it’s not just the production value that makes sweet corn important to Washington farms. That’s because it’s a rotation crop — one that’s used to give soil time to regenerate after growing other crops. In Washington, those crops are often potatoes or wheat.

Much of the sweet corn grown in Washington — about 87% — is processed. That is, it’s canned or frozen. You can learn more about how corn is processed by watching this clip from Washington Grown:

Try Washington sweet corn this season — or enjoy it later!

We said earlier that there are two main types of corn, but there are many specific varieties. One thing they all have in common, though, is that they’re a great source of vitamin C. One of the great things about Washington sweet corn is that, even though its flavor is unbeatable when fresh, it still tastes great (and is good for you) from the can or out of the freezer. So whether you enjoy it fresh (we’re in the tail end of harvest season now) or you store it away in your freezer to enjoy this winter, Washington sweet corn is always a great choice!