Pumpkinsteins spook social media

Not content with simply carving spooky faces into pumpkins, some farmers have manipulated their giant orange crops to grow in the shape of Frankenstein's monster ahead of Halloween.

The "Pumpkinstein" first became popular two years ago as a spin-off on traditional carved Jack-o’-Lanterns, with cultivators of the giant squash species using a special mould to shape the vegetable as it grows.

"People never believe it’s real the first time they see it; they all want to touch it to make sure," original "Pumpkinstein" grower Tony Dighera told the New York Times.

The spooky squashes originally retailed for more than AU$100, but prices have since dropped to around AU$25 due to popular demand.

Growers have taken to social media again this year to share images of their own Pumpkinsteins.