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‘Tis the Season for Pumpkins
What do Baby Bear, Little Boo and Ghost Rider have in common?
They are all pumpkins! October is the season for pumpkins. And there are so many fall activities centred on them.
Jack-o’-lanterns
Carving pumpkins is an age-old tradition. A quick search on Google illuminated the origins of pumpkin carving. Carving turnips and gourds for Halloween dates back 3,000 years to the Celtic celebration of Samhain. The Irish brought the practice to North America … and found that the native pumpkins were easier to carve than turnips. And pumpkins have been associated with Halloween ever since.
Food
Pumpkin pies are a classic food choice made from pumpkins. Over the years pumpkin recipes have expanded from the classic October dessert to soups, stews, muffins and cheesecakes. Even Starbucks has a pumpkin inspired drink: Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Containers & Decorations
Pumpkins are the ultimate recyclable planter. Decorate the hollow pumpkin with fall-blooming annuals, grasses and leaves. Within a month or two the pumpkin container falls apart just in time for winter.
Of course, we have all seen pumpkins in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours piled in front of entranceways with straw bales, leaves and scarecrows. Last year, while visiting the Dallas Arboretum, I saw an innovative way to use a surplus of pumpkins: a Pumpkin house!
Family outings
Just like apple picking, you can go out to pick your own pumpkins. Many of the farms have other activities associated with pumpkin picking (corn mazes, hay rides and hot beverages). It is a fall outing that the whole family can enjoy!
Pumpkin Links
Different winter squash varieties
Pumpkin planters in Canada in the USA.
Written by Cristina da Silva
Sunday, October 9, 2011 in Plants
Read 371 times
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