[quote=Jim Elbrecht;942103][in a thread from this past spring]
Jim Elbrecht wrote:
[color=blue][i]
Bill who putters wrote:
-snip-

BTW to the OP with a large yard look at Tahitian Squash sort of a sweet
carrot 2.5 feet long by 5 inch diameter that stores well at room
temperature.

The pumpkin should be a deep bright orange with well defined "ribs" It should give off a nice thunk when you thump it. Use a sharp knife to cut the pumpkin from the vine. This helps the other pumpkins still growing remain disease free and doesn't injure the vines.
One quick tip. Once your pumpkins are nearing their final growth, place straw or other clean dry material underneath them. Mulch is great for this. This stops the rotten spots or uneven coloration seen on many home pumpkins. Turn the pumpkin every so often to rotate the bottom and give it a smoother more regular shape.