Growing Your Own Pumkins- From Patch to Porch.

Growing Your Own Pumkins- From Patch to Porch

One of my absolute favourite things to grow in the garden has to be pumpkins. Not only do they bring a sense of magic to the patch, but they’re also perfect for styling the home for Halloween and then turning into delicious dishes afterwards. For years, I’ve run pumpkin carving workshops for children, and I’m always amazed at how many of them have never seen how these wonderful vegetables grow.

By the end of September, pumpkin patches really burst into life. They sprawl and twist, looking like something out of a fairy tale – almost as if they’ve sprung straight from the pages of Jack and the Beanstalk. But to ensure a bumper crop, there are a few key things you need to do:

Top Tips for Perfect Pumpkins

1. Let the Sunshine In

• Remove a few of the large leaves surrounding the developing pumpkins to allow sunlight to reach the fruit. This helps them ripen evenly and develop a rich colour.

• Watch out for mildew!

• If you notice powdery mildew on leaves, cut them away immediately to stop it from spreading to the rest of the plant. Healthy foliage means healthy fruit!

2. Be Patient

• Don’t pick your pumpkins too early. They need time to ripen fully, and the skins must harden before harvesting. A tough skin helps them last longer after picking.

3. Mulch the Soil

• Cover the soil around your plants with organic material – I love using grass cuttings. They help lock in moisture, feed the soil as they break down, and keep the fruit clean.

Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll have an autumn display to be proud of – with home-grown pumpkins that taste as good as they look. Far better than the shop-bought ones, which are often sprayed with so many chemicals that you’re advised not to eat them afterwards. And honestly, if you can’t eat them, do you really want little hands carving into them?

This year, why not try growing your own? It’s fun, rewarding, and brings a little seasonal magic to your garden – and your home.