GARDENINGPURSUITS 10.24

Welcome Autumn with the Enchanting Pumpkin

By Model Gardener Kelly Emberg

Get ready for the autumnal festivities! If you’ve been nurturing a pumpkin patch in your garden, you’re in for a treat. Pumpkins are the ultimate fall and winter culinary canvas – from scrumptious recipes to festive decorations. Mix that luscious pumpkin goodness with aromatic spices, and you’ve got yourself a one-way ticket to holiday bliss. Spruce up your space with a variety of pumpkins, not just the ordinary ones. Get creative with vibrant, quirky, and eye-catching pumpkins that will dazzle your pals and surprise your family.

GROWING

Mark your calendars for a summer sowing next year. Plant those pumpkin seeds in July 2025 for a Halloween harvest. It’s a 75 to 100-day wait, but imagine the spooky fun when your pumpkins are ripe and ready for all the holidays ahead?

Growing pumpkins can pose challenges, especially when space is limited due to their extensive requirements. To start, locate a sunny area on the south side of your property that is unobtrusive. Planting the seeds on a hill or slope aids in warming the soil and improving drainage. Water deeply once a week to promote healthy growth. Avoid watering if the leaves wilt during the afternoon heat while the soil is moist; they will recover when it cools down. Given that pumpkins have high nutritional needs, use a quality organic vegetable fertilizer to support their growth.

LOVE THESE VARIETIES

Sugar Pie
Its fine orange flesh is perfect for delicious pumpkin pies, soups, muffins, and breads. Consider hollowing out the smaller pumpkins, roasting them until tender, and filling them with savory custards or small soup portions for a delightful dinner party treat. The thin skin and sweet, fine-grained flesh, along with its dry texture, make it ideal for baking pies.

Peanut pumpkin
The heirloom pumpkin features peculiar peanut-like protrusions scattered across its pink-colored skin. These distinctive “peanuts” are formed from an accumulation of excess sugar. Known for their bumpy appearance, these pumpkins have a remarkably sweet flesh ideal for desserts like pies, breads, and cheesecakes.

Fairytale Pumpkin also called Musquee De Provence
French Fairytale pumpkins are prized for their rich flavor, high yield, and suitability for baking pies. Versatile, they can be eaten raw, have a long shelf life, and sweet taste. Resembling a wheel of cheese, they have deep ridges with a very smooth, hard surface and turn from green to deep mahogany or burnt orange as they mature.

Lumina pumpkins are white and ideal for painting. When carved and lit up, their orange interior creates a spooky effect. Beyond decorations, these pumpkins also offer a delightful taste and can be baked into delicious pies.

Jarrahdale
The Jarrahdale pumpkin originates from Jarrahdale in New Zealand. Its distinctive blue-green skin and deep ribs make it not only visually appealing but also a standout choice for cultivation, consumption, and autumn decorations. With its golden-yellow, moderately sweet, string-less flesh, it is ideal for baking. Just be careful when cutting it open due to its tough skin.

DISPLAYING & STORING PUMPKINS

• After harvesting, place the pumpkin in a shaded area for about a month to enhance its color and quality.
• When displaying pumpkins, keep them out for a few weeks. For extended storage, choose a cooler location.
• Avoid placing pumpkins directly on wooden surfaces or carpets to prevent softening and leakage of pumpkin juice, which can harm the wood or even stain stone.
• To prevent premature aging, place a cloth or cardboard circle under the pumpkin when displaying it on a hard, non-porous surface. A tablecloth with a plastic placemat underneath can be effective.
• Store pumpkins in a single layer on breathable surfaces such as wooden pallets, cardboard, or straw for winter storage.
• Most pumpkin varieties can be stored for a minimum of 3 months, with some types lasting successfully for 6 months or longer.

Roasted Pumpkin

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUMPKIN

• Select a pumpkin that is firm, heavy for its size, and has uniform coloring.
• Flip the pumpkin over and press on the bottom with your thumbs. If it feels soft or gives way, it’s not fresh.
• Check for any soft spots or open cuts that might suggest damage or early spoilage.
• Choose a pumpkin with a firmly attached stem.
• Surface insect damage should not impact the taste.

EATING PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is versatile and suitable for both savory and sweet recipes. For pies, go for sweet and refined types, while dry and dense varieties work best in soups and stews.

Cooking Fresh Pumpkin
To crate pumpkin puree, bake halved pumpkins at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until soft. To check if the pumpkin is cooked, simply pierce the flesh with a fork. After cooling slightly, scoop out the flesh and blend it to a smooth texture using a food mill, processor, or immersion blender. Now you are all set to bake your favorite pumpkin pie or cookies.

Roast Pumpkin With Sage
Cube pumpkin into 1 inch cubes without skins, drizzled with olive oil, sage, and salt and roast it in the oven at 400 degrees until done (about 40 minutes). When roasting pumpkin, the natural sugars come out and caramelize.

Pumpkin Smoothie
This Greek yogurt and pumpkin smoothie is the perfect breakfast on the go for the pumpkin obsessed.

Ingredients
1/2 cup Pumpkin puree
2 tsp Brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
2 tsp Vanilla extract
6 oz. Greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup Ice

Instructions
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Fall is synonymous with pumpkins, offering a wide array of choices. Whether it’s white, green, or orange, from massive giants to petite gourds, there is a pumpkin variety to suit every taste. If you missed growing pumpkins last season, don’t worry; you still have the chance to relish eating and showcasing them during this holiday season.

Enjoy your fall festivities!

Kelly Emberg, the model gardener
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