Frost on the Pumpkin?

Posted by R. Berg on November 15, 2002

In Reply to: Frost on the Pumpkin? posted by Robert on November 14, 2002

: I've often been puzzled by the phrase "When the frost is on the pumpkin..." and wondered where it originated. I assume it refers to the cycle of autumn turning into winter and the need to prepare for the approaching cold weather, but was it coined by a particular author or poet?

James Whitcomb Riley, poet. I haven't been able to find the text of the poem on-line.