Pumpkins

Pumpkins are known as a wonder vegetable. It comes from the same family as the squash and gourd they are large and orange both on the inside and outside. They have a hard skin and contain lots of large seeds inside. (these can be dried and planted to grow your own). The seeds are planted in the spring and harvested in the autumn if the skin does not have any bruises or blemishes they can be kept in the cool for up to 6 months. The word pumpkin comes from the Greek word Pepon meaning large melon. The English termed it Pumpion or Pompion back in 1547. Pumpkins was one of the many foods used by the Native American Indians both as food and to weave ...  Read the complete review

It is that time of year again when I go to my veggie patch and select a couple of voluptuous pumpkins to make Halloween lanterns and soup. Well actually I am telling a small fib because this year they are more like large oranges than giant footballs. I blame global warming, but if there is one thing that pumpkins like while they are growing it is regular water, and lots of it. My water butts were empty for part of the summer so everything suffered slightly this year. Never mind, they will probably taste slightly better than the big ones. So let's start at the beginning. I started growing pumpkins several years ago when my children were small and they ...  Read the complete review

It breaks my heart, it really does. It happens every year in spite of the warnings. Pestered parents succumb to their children’s demands and for one day it becomes the sole focus of the family’s attention. But the very next day it’s out on it’s ear, left to fend for itself…. Is this what happens in your home? Shame on you! Surely you know that a pumpkin isn’t just for Halloween! Looking around at this time of year, however, one might think that pumpkins existed only to be carved up at Halloween. Speaking as someone who lists the pumpkin as her number one vegetable (though it is strictly speaking a fruit), I find this not only annoying but also ...  Read the complete review

So I admit im a little bit late and have missed the major annual pumpkin related event but what will you do with the orange beauties now? They are liable to be on offer in supermarkets everywhere as shoppers turn their backs on this fabulously versatile ingredient and so join me for a quick review of pumpkins and a few of my favourite pumpkin recipes! Pumpkins are from the same family as squash and according to Saturday Kitchen at the weekend are seeing a huge surge in popularity as people like me realise there is more to them then making scary faces at Halloween (an art form in itself! A quick Google search brings up some incredible images and as you can ...  Read the complete review

Growing Pumpkins ----------------------- Pumpkins are a great crop for novice and experienced gardeners alike. With careful choice of variety the crop is prolific, delicious, and, easy to store. +++ What Pumpkin Plants need to thrive +++ 1) Water - plenty of it. 2) Muck or compost. 3) Space to spread out +++ Planting Pumpkins out +++ 1) Dig a good sized hole and fill it with well rotted compost or equally well rotted strawy manure. If using compost a handful or two of chicken manure pellets would be welcomed by your plant too. 2) Plant a pumpkin plant into the organic matter in the hole. The ...  Read the complete review