Summary Outline:
The pumpkin means so many things when the fall season rolls around. They are used to celebrate the fall harvest, spook away the ghosts of Halloween, adorn the tables during Thanksgiving, and cooked down to make pumpkin pies and dishes.
And the best thing of having pumpkins is that they can last a long time from the harvest to the early part of winter. They are so hardy and colorful that the pumpkin has become the favorite vegetable (or fruit) that celebrates the entire fall season.
-
Quik scroll to first topic about using pumpkins for Halloween …
first “pumpkins for halloween” idea
copyright image by Pixabay
What is the story of the pumpkin?
Notes:
- Pumpkins! They are famous for two fall events:
- 1) decorating for fall festivals and Halloween – pumpkins are carved in many different styles to entertain or spook away the kids
- 2) and for making pumpkin pie and other great dishes around the Thanksgiving holiday.
- But where did pumpkins come from – and are they grown throughout the world? The pumpkin originated in the Americas and was part of the native Indian diet when it was discovered by European explorers. They were eventually exported to European and Asian countries.
- Pumpkins are grown throughout the world; the top pumpkin producing countries are China and India. The United States ranks 8th. The top US producing states are Illinois and Indiana.
-
Quik scroll to topic side notes …
-
-
History of Pumpkin
As mentioned, the pumpkin originated in the Americas and is one of the oldest domesticated plants by native Americans dating back to approximately 5000 BC. It was brought back by the European explorers in the 16th century and used in development of custard fillings for pie.
You can find 17th century European cookbook recipes for pumpkin use.
copyright image by flickr.com
Pumpkins are easy to grow is many areas. Pumpkins have two growing requirements: 1) enough space to mature (ideally 10 square feet per plant – 3-4 feet apart) and 2) a long growing season (75 to 100 frost-free days).
The best time to plant in the north is late May; in the south, early July. Regular nutrition is very important for pumpkins. The good news is that pumpkins are easy to grow and don’t require much care except for regular fertilizer and pest control.
resources: About PumpkinsPumpkin Origination illustration – growing pumpkin diagram illustration – world record pumpkin illustration History of the Pumpkin info – didn’t know about pumpkin info – how to grow pumpkin info Surprising History Pumpkin youtube – planting/growing pumpkins youtube – from seed to 600kg youtube Growing Pumpkins
viewing amazon garden
-
Nutritional Value of Pumpkin:
Pumpkins are nutritious vegetables (along with it seeds, leaves, and juices) that are low in calories and a good source of vitamins and minerals. Among the nutrients in pumpkins are potassium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant.
Native Americans enjoyed pumpkin cooked as long strips; there is also evidence of using the seeds as a snack. The advantage of the the pumpkin was its think outer layer that allowed the vegetable to be stored during winter.
Today, the pumpkin can be incorporated into desserts, soups, salads, preserves, and substituted for butter in some dishes.
copyright image by envato.com
resources: Pumpkin Nutritional ValueCooked Pumpkin illustration – roast pumpkin seed illustration – nutritional data illustration Pumpkin Health Benefits info – nutritional facts info – how to cook pumpkin info – roast pumpkin seed info Turn Pumpkin Into Pie youtube – roasted pumpkin recipe youtube – 5 pumpkin recipes this fall youtube – how to roast pumpkin seed youtube Cooking Pumpkin
viewing amazon kitchen
-
-
Quik scroll to next topic about using pumpkins for Halloween …
-
ideas to view and compare from the information discussed above
| Internal Resources (opens new win) | |
| WHAT ARE: 7 fall organizing tips | |
| HOW TO: prepare home for fall | |
| INFO: inexpensive fall decor ideas | |
| YOUTUBE: history of pumpkins | |
| SHOP: halloween decor (scroll) | |
second “photo remodeling” idea
copyright image by Pixabay
Pumpkins for display
Notes:
- You can’t have a harvest autumn display without the pumpkin – they make great displays that can last throughout an extended period of time if the conditions are right.
- Fall time is harvest time – that is when many of the pumpkins are picked up from a local pumpkin farm. It’s a great time for family members to select their pumpkins for display and Halloween.
-
Quik scroll to topic side notes …
-
-
So what’s needed for a nice display?:
Let’s list what’s needed for a nice harvest and Halloween display for the yard using the following items alone with pumpkins and other summer squashes:
- pumpkins and gourds
- fall leaves either loose or attached to branches.
- fall flowers that include mums, asters, and other fall blooms.
- ornamental grasses with their fall bloom-age
- bales of hay
- tall corn stalks
- Indian corn
- pine cones
- bunch of acorns to scatter around
copyright image by envato.com
Other decor elements that can make your display spectacular. You can add 1-2 of these items to get that special effect:
- farmer scarecrow
- wooden benches and crates
- wheel barrow
- wicker and/or wooded baskets
- vintage wagons
- string lights
resources: How-To Fall DisplaysFall Yard Displays illustration – pumpkin displays illustration – halloween pumpkin displays illustration How Create Fall Displays pinterest – autumn display ideas info – easy fall decor for outside info Decorate With Me youtube – pumpkin display youtube – display mums, asters, pumpkins youtube
-
-
Quik scroll to next topic about using pumpkins for Halloween …
-
ideas to view and compare from the information discussed above
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| FIND: pumpkin patches | |
| PINTEREST: fall harvest displays | |
| YOUTUBE: front porch fall harvest | |
ideas to consider
May We Suggest Other Photo Remodeling Ideas About
“Decorating for the Holidays …”
third “photo remodeling” idea
copyright image by Pixabay
3. Pumpkins are for Halloween
Notes:
- Carved pumpkins are a popular Halloween event – almost all homes show off their pumpkin creations to welcome the spooky kids to their door. But where did the Halloween pumpkin originate?
- One “such” story for the “carved” Halloween pumpkin comes from the Irish legend of stingy Jack – thus the name of “Jack O’ Lantern”.
- And of course, the greatest pumpkin tradition of all was the 1966 TV show, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”. The carved pumpkin has been around since the mid 1800’s. And fun, gory, and frightening stories and movies have blossomed over time about Halloween pumpkins.
-
Quik scroll to topic side notes …
-
-
The Halloween Pumpkin: (Jack-o’s-Lanterns)
As for carving the pumpkin up into a ghoulish look, that originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack” – and how Jack’s trickery forced him after death to roam the earth at night as a ghostly figure with only a burning piece of coal to light his way.
The ghostly Jack placed the coal into a carved up turnip to form a lantern – thus he was referred to as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”
To ward off Jack and other ghoulish figure during “All Hallows Night”, the Irish would carve out turnips, beets, and potatoes into figures with a lighted candle inside to keep Jack and his ghostly friends away.
image by envato.com
When the Irish immigrated to the Americas in the mid-19th century, the myth of “Jack O’Lantern” came with them. However, the Irish found that the American pumpkin was a better choice for carving their lanterns. Thus evolved the use of the Halloween pumpkin as Jack O’ Lantern.
resources: The Jack O’ LanternLegend of Jack O’ Lantern illustration – jack o’ lantern pumpkins illustration Story of Stingy Jack youtube – great pumpkin charlie brown youtube – pumpkin sleepy hallow youtube
-
-
Quik scroll to next topic about using pumpkins for Halloween …
-
ideas to view and compare from the information discussed above
halloween storiesgreat pumpkin charlie brownsleep hallow movie
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| INFO: twisted tale jack o’lantern | |
| INFO: visiting sleepy hallow | |
| YOUTUBE: tragedy strikes | |
what to know?
fourth “photo remodeling” idea
copyright image by Pixabay
4. Let’s get carving
Notes:
- Carving a pumpkin into a creative character has become an art. Pumpkin carving contests at some festivals bring out some of the most creative designs.
- But don’t fret if you are not creative – you can find all kinds of pumpkin carving templates that will give you the best design for this Halloween.
- You just need to right tools for carving – some patience – and some time to carve with the whole family. Your first step is to find your pumpkin.
-
Quik scroll to topic side notes …
-
-
Learn to Carve a Neat Pumpkin:
The faces of jack o’ lanterns vary from the smiling pumpkin to the one that can scare kids on Halloween night. You begin by cutting away the sectional top from the pumpkin head, cleaning out the pumpkin insides, and then carving your figure into the face.
Keeping the pumpkin preserved after carving is matter of keeping it from drying up. Some experts suggest coating the inside of the pumpkin well and other exposed areas with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil.
Likewise, keep the pumpkin cool and out of direct sunlight. The carved-up pumpkin will decay fairly quickly.
copyright image by pixabay.com
The biggest challenge you will have with carved pumpkins (depending on your area) is critters such as squirrels, rodents, and other animals who looking for a free meal. You might want to bring the pumpkin in during the day to keep it cool and away from critters.
resources: Carved PumpkinsCarved Pumpkin Ideas illustration – carving pumpkin diagram illustration How to Carve a Pumpkin info – download carving templates info – how to preserve pumpkins info How to Carve Like a Pro youtube – 13 levels of carving youtube – awesome pumpkin carving ideas youtube – louisville jack o’ lantern spectacular youtube
-
-
Quik scroll to next topic about using pumpkins for Halloween …
-
ideas to view and compare from the information discussed above
| References (opens new win except noted) | |
| SERVICES: interior designers (see below) | |
| HOW TO: steps pumpkin carving | |
| INFO: don’t toss pumpkin guts | |
| PLANNING: home interior (same win) | |
Find Interior Design Services Decorators Interior Designers Furniture Painting & Staining top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Quick Contractor Guides selecting negotiating working with inspecting
fifth and last “photo remodeling” idea
copyright image by Pixabay
5. Getting Ready for Halloween
Notes:
- So as Halloween nears, it’s time to get your home and porch all decorated up. Don’t forget to add pumpkins – string lights – and other ghouls that will make your Halloween display look great.
- Halloween is the perfect holiday to show off pumpkins in all their varying designs and carvings. But make sure to set aside some other untouched pumpkins. You will want to use them to decorate for the Thanksgiving holiday that will come right after.
-
Quik scroll to topic side notes …
-
-
Getting Your Front Porch Ready
The week before Halloween is the perfect time to get your porch ready for the trick n’ treaters. There are endless themes you can use from enchanted welcomes to watch-your-step scary pop-ups. Let your creative mind go to work.
Some ideas include ghouls, witches, skeletons and cob webs for that scary look. Or you can tame it down with Disney characters, lollipops, and other kid stuff. No matter what the design, just make sure to add the pumpkin.
copyright image by unsplash.com
Note that once you open and carve up the pumpkin, it starts the decaying process. So it best to carve the pumpkin a day or two before Halloween. In the meantime, you can use un-carved pumpkins in your display. It has become colorful vegetable that welcomes the fall season and harvest.
resources: Halloween PorchesHalloween Porch Ideas illustration – fall harvest porch ideas illustration – pumpkin porch ideas illustration How to Decorate Porch for Halloween info – cheap n’ easy fall porch decorations info – front porch decorating ideas info Decorate Front Porch youtube – haunting of scaleybark manor youtube – the haunted porch youtube
-
-
Quik scroll more holiday planning ideas …
-
ideas to view and compare from the information discussed above
halloween candy servershalloween porch foggerhalloween porch curtain
- What comments can you share about
your ideas on using pumpkins for Halloween?
| Supporting Resources (opens new win) | |
| HOW TO: scare trick o’ treaters | |
| INFO: healthy halloween treats | |
| YOUTUBE: best halloween porch | |
Cover image credit: pumpkins for halloween by pixabay.com
end of post … please share it!
links open new winor simply search by entering holiday item or other holiday decor need
Nice pic idea? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this pic idea within your social networks.
