When Autumn comes, you'll be ready. You'll have the biggest (or smallest) pumpkins around. Pumpkins are the best garden plant a kid could have next to sunflowers.
How to grow pumpkins
Pumpkins need a long season. Kids love pumpkins, so it's worth the long wait. Prepare the kids by telling them it will take at least three months for most pumpkins to mature. Telling them this from the start can prevent the heartache of watching them lose interest because of late production.
Have kids search the library, call a local greenhouse or look on the Internet to find when the last frost date is in your area. Start the pumpkins indoors two to three weeks before that date. Pumpkin plants germinate and grow quickly.
Grow pumpkins in peat pots or traditional pots at least four to five inches in diameter. Use a germinating soil mix. This helps the pumpkin seedlings get all the nutrients they need. You'll find pumpkin seeds at any local home and garden store or a local greenhouse.
Remove all but one pumpkin from the vine once they start fruiting. This will put all the energy into making that one pumpkin into a big pumpkin. You can choose to do this to only one vine so other pumpkin vines grow more pumpkins.
Pumpkin activities
Once the pumpkins grow, the kids can spend Autumn nights roasting pumpkin seeds, making pumpkin bread or using small pumpkins as an Autumn table centerpiece.
Roasting pumpkin seeds
To roast pumpkin seeds, have the kids carve the pumpkin first. Use the seeds they removed. Soak the seeds and pulp overnight. Strain the seeds and pulp mix to remove the pulp.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil or other cooking spray. Spread out the pumpkin seeds on the baking sheet. Have kids pick spices they might like. Common spices to use on roasted pumpkin seeds include thyme, pepper and basil. Garlic and salt are also good choices. Cook the pumpkin seeds for about 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Let the roasted seeds cool down before snacking on them.
Pumpkin Bread
Have kids scoop out the insides of the pumpkin. Cook the pumpkin until it is soft, then puree it in the blender for a few minutes once it's cooled.
Here's what you'll need.
1 cup of pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch of salt
1/2 cup of oil
1 1/2 cups of flour
1/4 cup water
Pumpkin spice, allspice or nutmeg
Walnuts (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Have kids grease up one 9-inch bread loaf pan. Mix the pumpkin puree, oil, eggs and spices together in a medium bowl. Mix the flour and baking soda in another bowl. Combine the two bowls slowly. Stir until just incorporated. Pour into bread loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until brown on top. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes.
Autumn centerpieces
Smaller pumpkins are perfect for Autumn centerpieces. Wrap a red, yellow, orange or brown ribbon around the stem or add some artificial pumpkin leaves for a wonderful centerpiece.
Pumpkins are great for any kid's garden. Although they take all season to grow, it's worth it when kids' eyes light up at the sight of the pumpkins.
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