Carve up a treat
With today being Halloween, here are Diarmuid’s tips on creating those pumpkin lanterns
TO help survive this phase of the coronavirus upswing, I’m undertaking more indoor garden-related projects. And even though we won’t have children trick or treating this year, it is nice to keep up the tradition of the season by decorating the house and understanding how some of our Halloween rituals have evolved.
Carving pumpkins comes from the old Celtic tradition of making turnip lanterns with a lump of burning coal inside during November to ward off evil spirits.
Emigrants from Ireland and Scotland to America then brought this tradition with them and started using pumpkins instead, which are far easier to carve than turnips. It’s a fun, easy and cheap way to make Halloween decorations.
When buying, look for a good firm vegetable and before you begin carving, and plan what you are going to do. There are plenty of ideas and templates on the internet or use your imagination.
You’ll need a really sharp knife for cutting and while this is a fun project to do with youngsters, be careful. If they’re very young, let them show you the faces they’d like but you do the carving.
Take off the top by putting your knife in at an angle and cut all the way round, creating a cap or lid. Scoop out the innards removing as much wet mushy material as possible so you leave yourself with a firm solid bowl.
Following your template, draw the outline on with a Sharpie or marker. Then, with definite cuts, start with the eyes – they’ll be the easiest. For a simple effect I’ve gone for eyes, nostril and sharp, fang-like teeth. If you’re keeping the pumpkins inside, these cuts can dry and shrivel a bit so smear the edges with Vaseline which will help to retain moisture.
Now add nightlights to the bottom and pop the cap back on for that spooky effect. As with any candles, don’t leave them burning while unattended.
And what can you do with the innards? Carving pumpkins are not grown for their taste so, while edible, the guts are quite watery and gloopy.
They can go on to the compost heap – my three hens had a field day with this varied addition to their diet and loved it. Don’t throw the seeds out as these can be roasted in the oven for a tasty and healthy snack. Alternatively you could dry them out and store them for propagating your own pumpkins next year.
While easy enough to grow, they do need a good deal of space so are not feasible in smaller plots.
You can plant seeds outdoors in the ground from late May to early June when there is no fear of frost as they are tender. Or you can get started earlier indoors from mid-April. Just cover with a plastic or glass cloche to encourage germination.
If planting seedlings in situ, space them 10ft apart to allow sufficient room. They also want plenty of sunshine and a rich, moist soil.
Adequate water is essential through the growing season as they are prone to powdery mildew if they suffer water stress. Mulching will help conserve water through a dry period.
Feed them fortnightly with a high potash formula such as tomato liquid feed when they are forming fruit. If you want larger fruit, thin out t to two or three per plant so energy is s directed to these ones.
Now is also a good time to order pumpkin seeds for sowing next spring.
‘Becky’ is the classic Halloween var variety, ideal for carving. If you want t to g grow monster sized, you could try y ‘Dil ‘Dill’s Atlantic Giant’. At the other en end of the scale, ‘Jack Be Little’ is o one of the smallest and will make e really cute decorations.
For something special, look for ‘Rouge Vif d’Etampes’ also known as the Cinderella pumpkin – all you’ll need then is a fairy godmother to wave her wa wand and deliver you a beautiful car carriage!
Don’t throw the seeds out – they can be roasted for a tasty and healthy snack