I’ve taken an obvious break from blogging recently but I wanted to quickly show you a pumpkin plant because … well, have a look.
It’s content, isn’t it? I didn’t have space in the veg beds so rather than throw away six gift plants, I planted them in a compost bin.
I watered on first planting but haven’t bothered since (it’s a long traipse out here with a watering can). Slugs had a field day with five but one proved that he won’t be messed with by the slimy folk; and easily grabs The-Biggest-Pumpkin-Plant-I’ve-Ever-Grown crown (cardboard, baking-foil over-lay, as yet unmade). Aren’t you meant to take off all the flowers bar one? To grow the best, biggest pumpkin? Perhaps, but I’m just enjoying the spectacle of a plant relishing its site and showing off … (if sucking all the goodness out of my lovely, precious compost).
I wonder how big it will grow? The bin is 1.6 metres wide, 2.4 metres deep and 90cm high; the compost a year old. No wonder it is so thuggishly happy and already swamps two bins. It’s a shame that I’m not too keen on actually eating pumpkins. They’re palpable, I suppose, and Jim continues to buy them despite my lack of enthusiasm.
I far prefer his Halloween endeavours to his pumpkin soup/curry/surprise (extra pumpkin). Maybe I will remove all the fruit except one and nurture the largest, scariest, carved and illuminated pumpkin imaginable for our window on 31st October (though I dare say I’ll be eating the innards for weeks afterwards, sadly).
oooOOOooo
So yes, it’s all been quiet on the blogging front but I have been busy. Painting our new house, planning works with our builder, toiling in our garden, enjoying a holiday (which might merit a post, might not) and I’ve also received several interesting proposals via the blog too. One of those was writing an article for Capital Gardens: if you missed my plug on Facebook and Twitter, you can read it here.
The Anxious Gardener 
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”
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“Good Grief.” 🙂
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🙂
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Pumpkin will settle a dog’show stomach.
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A dog’s stomach
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No this is not correct it is the tummy it helps
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Useful to know, Robert. Sadly, I’m dogless at the moment but I shall make a note. D
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How funny. I’ve been craving pumpkin pie, and have two in the oven right now. If you end up with too many too carve, you can send the rest to me. : )
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Crate of Sussex pumpkins coming your way, Debbie.
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That is one enthusiastic pumpkin. My sweet potatoes are enthusiastic like that—refreshing, when everything else seems merely resigned to staying alive. (July has been extra-hot and dry. Good riddance to it.)
At least with growing your own pumpkins, Jim won’t have to buy them. I mean, you still might not enjoy eating them, but at least you won’t be out any money. That always adds insult to injury somehow.
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I like sweet potatoes, Stacy. I wonder whether I could grow them in compost. Not so good for carving, mind you. Jim is already so excited bout the sheer number of pumpkins on that plant (about 50) that I suspect they may have to vanish early one morning. D
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David, have you tried pumpkin pie? I know some people loathe it. Sliced and roasted with chilli and lime zest is not bad. But the plant is beautiful, leave it be. And the carving is terrific – did it’s eyes follow you around the room?
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Hi Gill, I have tried pumpkin pie in the States and I’m afraid it doesn’t alter my view of eating pumpkins at all. Sorry. Good carving isn’t it especially backlit with night-lights. D
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That is a most impressive plant! I have been similarly swamped by the growth from the tromboncino squash – but they fortunately are delicious. I do agree with you about pumpkin. Best carved, lit, then composted!
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From compost, straight back to compost – if I get my way. D
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