THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Pumpkin Facts

• Pumpkin (pepon) is a Greek word for "large melon".

• Pumpkins are thought to have originated in North America.
  Indians dried strips of pumpkins and wove them into mats, they also roasted long strips on an open fire to eat.

• Pumpkins are a fruit.

• Pumpkins are a type of squash.  They are a member of Cucurbita family (cucumbers, zucchini, etc.).

• Pumpkins are grown on six of the seven continents (not on Antarctica) even Alaska grows pumpkins.

• Pumpkins can be used for many purposes
          People food, animal food, decoration and Halloween
          90% of pumpkins are grown for Halloween

FIRST PUMPKIN PIE

• Pilgrims sliced off top of pumpkin, removed seeds, then filled inside with milk, spices and honey.
  Pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes.  Insides were eaten with a spoon, like pudding.

GROWING PUMPKINS

• Pumpkins are planted by seed (3-5 ft. apart).

• Pumpkins require 90 to 120 days to mature.

• Pumpkins are planted in late June (harvest Sept./Oct.).

• Average yield 14 ½ tons (29,000 lbs. = 2000 pumpkins / Acre).

• Average weight = 10-20 lbs.

• Pumpkins like "Coastal" type weather (warm days/cool nights).

• Pumpkin flower is only receptive to pollination for one day.

• White flies, aphids and leaf hoppers are the pumpkin's biggest pests.

• Americans spend over $1 Billion / year at Halloween.

• Largest pumpkin was grown in Oregon in 2002 - 1173 lbs!

PUMPKIN CARVING TIPS

• After carving pumpkin, coat inside and all cut holes with petroleum jelly (slows shriveling/drying out process).

• Use battery light or glow stick instead of candles to increase life (candles are much hotter).

• Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on underside of lid when using candles (smells like pumpkin pie).

PUMPKIN HUMOR

Q: How do you fix a broken pumpkin?

A: Use a "Pumpkin Patch"