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HOME GROWN continued HOME GROWN con't. next column HOME GROWN con't. next column HOME GROWN continued Landscape Designer/Gardener ISCO Landscaping Wilson, North Carolina SCC Landscape Gardening Graduate What Pumpkins Bring To The Table by Joshua Peede Yes, it is that time of year again. Nights are getting longer, the air is getting crisper, and the fall and holiday seasons are well on their way! Even though not everyone has a patch of these growing in their vegetable garden, there is no doubt that the pumpkin is symbolic of the upcoming season. Just the thought of walking through a field of orange gets us in the autumn spirit! In these next few moments, we will look at everything to do with the pumpkin, from its origin, to the uses and benefits that we find with this irreplaceable treat we look forward to each year in our American culture. With the strong attachment Americans have with the pumpkin, you might think that it would be native to the United States, right? Well, it is not, but its origin is from a bordering country, Mexico. When the settlers came to the New World, the native Indians were already using pumpkins as a food source. As a matter of fact, pumpkins were one of the three sisters in the “Three Sisters Garden” that the Indians implemented. This practice that they came up with, consisted of corn, trailing beans, and squash or pumpkins planted among each other. They found that planting these together provided a beneficial relationship between all three crops. The word pumpkin comes from the greek word “pepon,” meaning “large melon.” A pumpkin is also considered a winter squash. They are a great source of Vitamin A, as well as antioxidants. Also, pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, are quite desirable as well because they contain considerable amounts of protein, zinc, copper, and magnesium. Many people today even feed their pets pumpkin, if they are experiencing digestive problems. You can see why this has been such an important dietary option for so many years! As gardeners, you probably have planted pumpkins at some point in your life. They are fairly simple to grow, but require a few main things; adequate moisture, abundant soil fertility, and plenty of space to crawl. As vines begin to grow over the first month or so, they will not need as much watering as when fruit begins to form and mature. Pumpkins, like watermelons, require a somewhat constant supply of moisture to aid in the development of healthy fruit. Second, they need necessary fertility as they grow and develop. A good idea is to incorporate some aged or composted manure in with each hill of soil where seeds will be planted. When making hills for planting, it is good to leave 6-8 feet of space between hills, and to have 2-3 seeds per hill. Once vines have germinated and began to set fruit, pinch all the growth points at the end of each vine to force the plant to focus its energy into the development of fruit, and not as much on the vegetative growth. Depending on what type of pumpkins you select to grow, it is a good practice to remove all but 2-5 pumpkins on each vine, so that there will not be more than the vine can support and bring to maturity. You will know when the fruit is ripe to pick, because the skin will become firm, and you will not be able to make an impression too deeply with your finger nail. Once the pumpkin is harvested from the vine, its color will not change any more. We have now looked at the history and benefits of the pumpkin, but now we are about to see how big of a deal this unique melon is in today’s world. If you have walked into any grocery store, coffee shop, or department store recently, you have probably seen something that has a flavor or smell of “Pumpkin Spice.” In 2003, this whole pumpkin spice phenomenon began with Starbucks, a famous coffee chain that we are all familiar with. Starbucks took the deep connection that we have between the fall season, used the pumpkin pie for flavoring inspiration, and developed the Pumpkin Spice latte. Ever since then, the world has grown to love this flavor in everything from coffee to cookies, and even scented candles! Another way that the 21st century has changed the way we think of the pumpkin is by the increasing demand for white pumpkins. Until recently, many people probably didn’t know that white was an option, but with the modern demand for different and unique decorating ideas, the white pumpkin has come to the light and is making a statement, although the classic orange will most likely never take second place. Even though the skin of the pumpkin is white, the meat is the same orange color and texture as its classic relative. Believe it or not, there are also red, and light blue-grey pumpkins out there too. Who knows where this could go next? I remember as a child, going out into a grassy field of bright orange pumpkins at a local farm with my family, and being told to pick out my favorite one to decorate the front steps of our home for fall. There were so many different shapes and sizes, but I knew when I had found the “perfect one.” The smile that a pumpkin brings to my face is not necessarily because of the orange, round fruit that lies in front of me, but is because of the season which it represents, the memories it recalls, and the spirit that it fills the air with. Whether you are the person that purchases a few miniature varieties to decorate a fireplace mantle, or that expert Jack-o lantern carver, or maybe the retired farmer who grows the state record 1000+ pound giant every year, everyone has their own story, and probably an empty pie pan to boot! �� No. 124 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.29


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