the birth of a pumpkin...

I decided to try growing pumpkins. I love to decorate with pumpkins in the fall.. on the back deck, on the front porch… a cheery greeting for visitors. Years ago my Grandfather- Poppy- displayed “Shmoos” every fall in his chrysanthemum gardens. He invented Shmoos. Glued those plastic eyes that kind of jiggle to a big orange gourd and a “Shmoo” was born! People came from all over to see them. I found a photo of me and my sister in his fall garden (I’m the one holding the Shmoo) Check out the white gloves! I guess being attracted to pumpkins is genetic.

Anyway back to my pumpkin project.

I planted pie, blue, white and dwarf in a very small space. I have to manage the vines daily so they don’t grow into one jumbled mess! I was warned too, that cross-pollination would occur resulting in mutated pumpkins. So far so good. It’s been fun discovering a new one peeking out from under a leaf and watching them grow. I’m hoping they will be ready to display by the end of September.

I know to some, growing your own pumpkins to have a few for fall decorations might seem kind of extreme, but I don’t care, it’s fun and I will enjoy giving them away to family and friends, displaying them and making a pie or two.

I posted a photo of Maxwell the pig- the keeper of the pumpkin patch. He’s doing a good job of keeping the deer away.. well and some deer netting too! So watch for future updates on my pumpkin patch… I hope to have some beautiful blue and white pumpkins to show you.. and if they do mutate… maybe white with blue stripes or polka dots?

In the patch,

~ The Artist