Growers in some states say harvests are down significantly from last year's yield, which could mean shortages or higher prices for pumpkins shipped in from California, Texas and other areas with better crops.

"It's just been a really rough year from the get-go," says Mark Kamman, a grower in Vallonia, Ind. "Vegetables like it hot." He has fewer pumpkins per acre, and those that did grow are smaller.

His costs are up 30-40% because of high fuel and fertilizer prices, but Kamman is reluctant to raise prices at his farm stand. The economy, he says, means "nobody can afford them."