Sustainable tricks for pumpkin treats
Have you picked some Halloween pumpkins yet? Whether you’re carving or cooking, there’s plenty you can do with this versatile squash in the weeks and months ahead. LEON KERLEY, Farm Manager at Donnelly Fresh, one of the country’s largest pumpkin growers, shares some tricks for sowing, growing and enjoying pumpkins at home.
Step through the doors of most supermarkets this month and you will be greeted with an abundant display of pumpkins and gourds in an array of autumnal tones. These seasonal staples play a starring role in décor throughout October, from doorstep lanterns to floral tablescapes.
But there’s more to pumpkins than meets the (spooky) eye! A popular replacement in modern times for the more difficult to carve turnip, pumpkins grow well in Irish conditions. They enjoy moisture and don’t require intensive irrigation here, compared to sunnier climes, thus reducing water stress. Choosing Irish-grown pumpkins is a boon for the environment and the economy; minimising food miles and supporting local growers.
Pumpkins can be grown in rotation with cereals and grasses, helping to break the chain of pests and disease. Their large leaves actively suppress weeds, while their vibrantly hued flowers benefit bees, insects, and other pollinators. Though generally regarded as a vegetable in culinary terms, pumpkins are labelled botanically as fruit, and it is the female flowers on the plant that develop into the pumpkin.
Eco-friendly ideas for the spooky season and beyond
If you are purchasing pumpkins to carve or decorate this month, there is much you can do to enjoy the fruits of your labour and benefit the environment too. Both the pumpkin flesh and seeds make delicious ingredients for autumn dishes such as a hearty pumpkin soup or this Carrot and Pumpkin Seed Salad from Bord Bia.
If you don’t feel like cooking and consuming the contents yourself, the wildlife in your garden will certainly enjoy them and both the flesh and seeds will be a welcome addition to your bird feeders in the colder months to come. Rich in nutrients, pumpkins aren’t just good for our diet, they are also ideal for composting and help to create a rich soil for planting.
A simple trick to extend the life of your carved pumpkin is to turn it into a biodegradable flowerpot. Carve out the insides, mix them with some compost, and add some autumn flowers and foliage. When the pumpkin starts to soften, replant it in a large pot or bed in your garden and it will naturally breakdown and feed your plants.
If you gather, dry out, and save the seeds in a sealed container and store them in a cool, dry place through winter, you can replant them in March or April in small pots on a sunny windowsill. Keep them moist, but not too wet, and they should soon sprout. These seedlings can be transferred outdoors once the early morning frost has passed at the end of May/start of June. Choose a sheltered but sunny spot in your garden and come October, you will have more pumpkins to taste, decorate and celebrate!
Donnelly Fresh is one of Ireland’s largest pumpkin growers, supplying most major retailers. You can learn more about the company at donnellyfresh.ie and follow the team on social @donnellyfreshgroup
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