Pumpkin tips
Keep your pumpkin away from wildlife – pumpkins can cause extreme tummy issues for some wildlife – especially hedgehogs (in some cases being fatal) so be sure to raise your pumpkin off the ground away from any curious wildlife! “Hedgehogs should not eat pumpkins because they cause bloating and diarrhoea. A hedgehog suffering from diarrhoea can easily become dehydrated. A hedgehog’s life can be in danger if it faces diarrhoea and dehydration.” Read more about Hedgehogs and pumpkins at HedgehogPlanet.com.
Pick the healthiest pumpkin(s) – pick a pumpkin with a hard stem and minimal bruising.
Where to cut your main hole – you don’t have to cut the hole in the top if you like to keep the top looking neat and tidy, you can cut a hole in the bottom too!
When removing the flesh – remove as much flesh as possible which will help to prolong the life of your pumpkin.
Don’t waste the flesh – try making a pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, a hearty soup or a pumpkin curry – you could even blanch and freeze it to use another time. Check out some yummy pumpkin soup recipe ideas from Thame.net here.
Lighting – you can use tea lights in your pumpkin but they shouldn’t be left unattended! Alternatively, you can buy LED tea lights, battery-powered fairy lights.
Pumpkin carving templates
Click on the images below to download your free pumpkin carving templates.
We’d love to see your finished pumpkins – send us a picture via editor@thame.net or tag us on social media.
