{"id":109584,"date":"2021-10-01T00:01:01","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T23:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/?p=109584"},"modified":"2022-02-21T14:47:40","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T14:47:40","slug":"how-to-grow-to-perfect-pumpkin-plus-carving-and-recipe-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/garden\/laura-w\/how-to-grow-to-perfect-pumpkin-plus-carving-and-recipe-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"How to grow the perfect pumpkin, plus carving and recipe ideas!"},"content":{"rendered":"

October is here and that means Halloween is nearly upon us! What better way to celebrate the spookiest season of the year than with a traditional Jack ‘O Lantern? Carving a pumpkin that you grew in your own back garden is one of the most rewarding ways to celebrate Halloween and a great way to get the whole family involved too. Not to mention the tasty treats you can make from the pumpkin flesh!<\/p>\n

Here are our tips on making the most of your homegrown pumpkins – from growing seedlings to cooking soup!<\/p>\n

Growing your pumpkins<\/strong><\/p>\n

Firstly, pumpkins are pretty easy to grow, though they do need space so the vines can sprawl along the ground. Some vines can get to as long as 6m (19ft), though around 3m (9ft) should be enough space for the average variety. According to Thompson & Morgan<\/a>, in cooler climates pumpkin seeds can be sown in April and May but should be kept inside until all risk of frost has passed. Plant two seeds in small 7cm pots and thin out the weaker plants later on.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

When daily temperatures average around 18C and above, and your seedlings are big enough, plant them outside at 3m (9ft) intervals in full sun. As the vines send out their tendrils, you’ll begin to see more and more leaves appear, then flowers will bloom and that’s where you’ll find your pumpkins start to bud. Pumpkins like to be warm and relish the sun, so remove any leaves that are throwing shade. Pumpkins can also be prone to rot if left to sit on damp earth, so raise them off the ground and rest them on seed trays, boards or thick cardboard.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

If you can create a mound of earth to grow your pumpkins on, this will help with drainage and warming the soil. Make sure you water your plants regularly as pumpkins are very thirsty, and leave it as close to Halloween as possible to harvest them. This will ensure that the skins are nice and firm and easier to carve. If Halloween comes around before your pumpkins are properly ripened, it’s worth harvesting them a couple of weeks early and bringing them inside to ripen properly. Then it’s time to carve!<\/p>\n

Carving your Jack ‘O Lantern<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you’ve selected your perfect pumpkin, it\u2019s best to start by drawing out your design on the outside of it. If you’re unsure where to start, try sketching out your Jack O’ Lantern’s face on paper first and transfer it to your pumpkin when you’re happy with the design.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

The first place to start is at the top by cutting out the lid. Most of the inside of a pumpkin is hollow so it’s easy to start cutting. Use a sharp knife and make the first cut to zig zag around the stalk at the top. Keep the knife at an angle in towards the centre of the pumpkin so that the lip won’t fall inside when you’ve finished cutting. When you have completed the lid, pull the stalk and the lid should come straight out. Make sure you make the hole at the top big enough to get your hands inside to carve the pumpkin out.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Inside you will see the fibrous pulp and the seeds, these can be pulled out by hand initially and then you can use spoons, or an ice cream scoop to remove the stubborn bits! Remember to set the seeds aside, you’ll need them for planting so you can grow next year’s crop and start the cycle again. You can also roast some of the seeds with olive oil to make a tasty addition to salads and snacks.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to make a pie or soup from your pumpkin, then continue to scrape away at the inside until you have reduced the sides down by about half or around 2cm (<1″) thick. See below for the full recipes, but you will need around 680g (24oz) of pureed pumpkin for a pie and around 450g (1lb) for soup, to create 4-6 servings.<\/p>\n

Once the pumpkin is hollowed out and you are happy with your design, you can either free-draw it using a felt tip pen – this is a great way to get younger family members involved – or you can trace out the design from your paper using a sharp tool like a knitting needle. Then using your knife, start cutting out your Jack ‘O Lantern.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Go slowly and use simple straight cuts at first, keeping the knife perpendicular to the pumpkin. Once you have carved the basic eyes, mouth and other features, then you can start to shape the holes that are left and perfect your face.<\/p>\n

Add two or three tealights inside your pumpkin, turn out the lights and watch it glow!<\/p>\n

Here are a few QVC-made Jacks for inspiration!<\/p>\n\"\"\n

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Making a delicious autumnal feast<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pumpkin pie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although traditionally served at Thanksgiving dinner, its creamy filling and tasty pastry base make it a delicious end to any meal.<\/p>\n\"\"\n

Ingredients:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the shortcrust pastry base:<\/strong><\/p>\n