WATERLOO - Pumpkin growers aren't out of their gourds about this season's crop.

Cool, wet summer temperatures have delayed ripening of these favorite fall fruits, and growers have expressed some concern about getting their pumpkins out of the field soon enough to go under the knife and become jack-o'-lanterns at the hands of the public.

Some growers are reporting that their crops are about three weeks slower in ripening than previous years.

"The weather has really slowed down our pumpkins," said Wuanita Brunscheon of East View Orchard, located near Fredericksburg. "Usually by now, we're bringing in pumpkins, but we're three weeks behind. I think the same's true for other growers because we've all had to deal with the cooler temperatures."

By contrast, her apple trees are loving the cooler weather and she's having a bumper crop of 30 different apple varieties, including Honey Crisp, Cortlands, Macintosh and Galas.

Pumpkins are being brought out of the fields at Heartland Farm, along with gourds, acorn squash, butternut squash, pie pumpkins, decorative and larger pumpkins, Ann Jolly said. Still, she said she expects the pumpkin crop to be smaller this year and the fruits are taking longer to turn their characteristic orange color.

"We had hail damage this summer that wiped out our first crop," she said. "All I can say is, this cool summer hasn't helped any pumpkin growers. It's been a very cold season compared to last year. A few weeks of warmer weather will ripen what's out there and everyone is concerned that we could have an early frost. We'll sell everything we're growing without any problem."

Jolly said the farm is on schedule with its annual Halloween celebrations, which will include several night hay rides.

Tim Schults and Rita Pillard, who operate the new Harvest Moon Manor and Pumpkin Paradise in Waverly, agree that their crop is three weeks behind.

"This is our first year and it's been a bit of a struggle," Pillard said. "The weather has definitely affected production. It delayed germination. We've had lots of blossoms but the pumpkins still have a ways to go. We're planning to open the first weekend in October."

The manor, located at 1734 Killdeer Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Don Beck, who operates a pumpkin patch at Beck's Farm in rural Buckingham, said none of his pumpkins are ready.

"I don't know how late they are because I've been so busy with the sweet corn," Beck said. "I haven't been out there except to drive by with the Gator and I can tell they're small yet. We always hope to have them by October."