STARS OF THE MONTH

Pumpkin ‘Jack o’ Lantern’

These fine specimens from the veg plot are ready for carving now but, in all the Halloween excitement, please don’t forget to eat the flesh you have spent so much time scooping out to make lanterns. Harvest pumpkins when they are fully coloured – the skins harden well in sun. It is a magnificent vegetable (I am including its close cousin the squash in this) which stores for ages (you can eat pumpkin well into the new Year). Pumpkins are for dinner, not just for Halloween.

Pumpkins need lots of space to grow. Sow seeds under glass and plant out into rich soil once frosts have passed. Height x Spread 45cm x 3m