Here is a great idea for how to use those oversized pumpkins and left over jack o lanterns as delightfully quirky planters and containers for seasonal fall flowers.
Halloween comes and goes every year and we all get used to seeing the same old carved pumpkins or maybe a big pumpkin set out with corn stalks and a mum or two, plus toss in a bale of straw if we're lucky. Yesterday, on the pristine porch of a minimalist style home, I saw perfectly matched, mini sized, bright orange pumpkins evenly spaced along the railing and thought it was at least ... different. Sigh.
So I'm ready for a new idea or two. Using a hollowed out pumpkin as a flower pot is definitely a new idea for me, how about you? It might sound a little iffy, but the photos will convince you to give it a try.
Violas are great cool season flowers for fall planting, or plant seasonal choices such as ornamental kale or cabbage, dianthus, or mums. The bigger the pumpkin, the wider your choices! Best of all, they can be composted at the end of the season -- either in your compost pile or bury them right in the garden. Caveat: the pumpkin wall softens and collapses if frozen....
And of course, by using these as planters, you avoid having to eat the pumpkin filling/meat/flesh or whatever it is called in umpteen pumpkin pies, pumpkin soup, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pudding, pumpkin casserole.... you get the idea. (Actually, I love pumpkin cookies and enjoy baked squash as a veggie!)
So this is a multipurpose project with ample opportunities for re-use and recyling as well as avoiding calories and/or skipping those nasty vegetable dishes guilt free. What could be cooler -- or greener -- than that!
See these potted up pumpkins used as planters for yourself!
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Copyright October 9, 2007 Barbara Martin All Rights Reserved
