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Pumpkins
A sure sign that autumn is arriving is when you see piles of pumpkins in the stores. Large mounds of pumpkins arranged by size at the pumpkin farm allow children to pick the shape and size they want for Halloween. Today, this is probably the most popular use of Cucurbita pepo, Howden and Jack-O-Lantern a Connecticut field-type pumpkins.

Derived from the Greek word pepon meaning large melon, the word pumpkin went thru several changes. The French nasalized pepon into pompon, the English in turn pronounced it as pumpion and the American colonist (rebels that they were) changed it to pumpkin. Its long history dates back many centuries but originated in Central America.

There are many benefits to this Native American fruit (yes, it is considered a fruit). Pumpkins were used not only for food but medicine and other items. According to my HERBS book, the seeds were thought to expel worms and prevent prostate problems. The Native American used to roast seeds and strips of pumpkins on an open fire and eat them. They would also dry flattened strips and make mats out of them. Pumpkins were used for removing freckles and healing snake bites. The first pumpkins pie happened when Colonist cut the top off, removed the seeds, poured milk, spices and honey inside, then baked it in hot ashes. The pumpkin was then the crust, not the filling. Today, Pumpkins are still used as a vegetable, in soups, breads and pies. The flowers are edible and the seeds are still roasted and enjoyed as a delightful snack..

Pumpkins have come a long way; they vary in size, shape and color adding new avenues to creative decorations as well as culinary delights. Stemming from a large gene pool, some have been hybridized for unique shapes and coloration while others for their seeds, texture and flavor. Heirloom pumpkins seeds maintain the genetic bio-diversity that is important to future crops. Each unique variety that has been passed down for generations has developed some resistance to disease or pests which can be used to breed into modern varieties. The Seed Savers Exchange works diligently to preserve and save the genetic history of many crops from extinction. If you have some heirloom seeds to share, contact the Seed Exchange (seedsavers.org).

Need to know how to harvest & store your pumpkins?

Here is an interesting Irish folklore about a man named Stingy Jack. As the story goes, Stingy Jack invited the Devil for drinks. Once they were done, Jack , true to his nickname, refused to pay for the drinks. He convinced the Devil into turning himself into a coin so that he could pay for the drinks. The Devil did so, but Jack instead of paying for the drinks decided to keep the coin. He put it in his pocket with a silver cross so that the Devil could not change to his original form. After some time, Jack let the Devil change under the condition that he will not bother him for 1 year on take his soul if he should die within that time. The devil agreed. The next year when the devil appeared, slick Jack talked him into climbing a tree to pick some fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a cross in the bark of the tree. This time the devil had to promise not to bother Jack for 10 years.

Shortly afterwards, Jack died. Upon his demise the good Lord hearing about Jacks misgivings and lack of character decided that such a soul did not belong in heaven and sent Jack down to hell. The Devil still feeling the sting of Jacks trickery honored his promise and refused to accept his soul in hell. Jack had nowhere to go. He was sent back into the dark of the night with only a piece of coal to light his way. Jack took the coal and put it in a carved out turnip to make a light. He is forever doomed to roam the Earth at night with only the coal lantern to light his way. As the story goes, whenever the Irish saw the ghostly figure they said, there goes Jack of the Lantern, later they shortened it to Jack o’ Lantern.

As the legend grew, the Irish and Scottish thought it was best to make their own versions of Jacks lantern by carving scary faces in turnips, beets or potatoes. They would place them on window sills and at the foot steps of doors to keep Stingy Jack and other evil spirits away. This tradition was brought to the U.S. with the immigrants and has been carried out throughout the years using the native pumpkin as the ideal Jack o Lantern.

Happy Halloween!!!

for information on choosing your pumpkin

Planting  Spring  bulbs

Fall is the ideal time to plant spring blooming bulbs. They can be planted as late as November-December before the ground freezes. Temperatures above 45 degrees for 8-12 weeks will give them time to develop a good root system.

Here is a quick planting guide:

-When buying bulbs, check for quality. Be sure they are firm without soft spots or white mold.

-Bulbs need a light, well-drained soil or they will rot. For heavy, clay soil, incorporate organic materials such as peat moss or compost to improve drainage.

-They do not require fertilizer but will perform better when fed. Work up the soil and add bulb booster or a 5-10-10 fertilizer for vigorous future growth. The bulb should have no contact with the fertilizer, as it will burn developing roots. You can put bone meal in the bottom of the hole. Once planted, sprinkle bulb fertilizer on top of the backfilled soil in the fall or spring. If you don’t fertilize at this time, the best time is right after bloom (12-12-12 or 5-10-5). Mulch planted bulbs after the ground freezes to protect from freezing/thawing cycle and remove in the spring.

-Planting depth: A general rule for tulips and daffodils is 3 times the diameter of the bulb. Cover small bulbs such as scillas, grape hyacinths, snowdrops with 2 inches of soil and large bulbs 6-8 inches. Other bulbs may vary a bit. Check package directions. In warmer climates bulbs can be planted 2 inches shallower.

-Plant pointed tip up, if not sure plant the bulb on its side, it will find its way up.

If you have rabbits, squirrels or chipmunks digging up your bulbs, here’s what you can do. When planting cover the bulbs with half the soil, then cover place chicken wire and fill in with the remaining soil (at least 1 inch). The chicken wire will keep the critters from digging up the bulbs. You can also plant less desirable bulbs such as allium, camassia,chionodoxa forbesii ‘Pink Giant’, colchicum ‘Waterlily’, eranthis (winter aconite), fritilaria, galanthus nivalis(snowdrops) muscari (grape hyacinths) and scilla siberica, which aren’t as tasty. The critters won’t bother daffodils or hyacinths as they don’t taste good and are poisonous.

I would like information on the care of glads for the winter in Northwest Montana. Thank you

In areas with deep frost, gladioli need to be lifted from the soil. Dig up the corms before the first frost. Remove browning foliage and trim it to 1/2 inch of the corm. Shake off the soil and let the remaining stubs dry for 1-2 weeks in a warm, ventilated area. Once dried, remove dried stubs, discard old corms and cormels(optional). Dust the large new corms with a fungicide and store the corms in a paper/plastic mesh bag in a frost free place at 35-50 degrees.
You can also drop a mothball in each bag of gladiolus to deter mice and kill overwintering thrips.