As the nights draw in and autumn colours glow, it’s time for one of the most fun horticultural rituals of the year: the pumpkin. Whether you’re carving a classic jack-o-lantern, digging into delicious seasonal dishes or up-cycling your garden waste into next year’s compost, pumpkins have got you covered. At Caledonian Horticulture, we’re here for the full pumpkin journey — from seed to spook to soil.

1. Choose & Prepare Your Pumpkin

Begin by selecting your pumpkin. A good shape, sturdy stem and unblemished skin will stand you in better stead for carving or cooking.
Once you bring it home, give it a little prep: pick a cool dry spot until you’re ready to use it. (The web horticulture advice says that curing pumpkins in a warm, sunny position for a few weeks helps harden the skin and prolong storage life.)
If you haven’t grown your own (or did and want to save future effort), now is the time to decide if you’ll keep the seeds for next year’s crop.

2. Carving & Decorating – Halloween Classic

For many of us, pumpkin carving is the moment Halloween really kicks off. Here are some tips to make it smooth:

• Lay down newspaper or a plastic sheet for less mess – pumpkin guts, seeds and all will get everywhere
• Use a serrated carving knife (or appropriate carving tools) rather than trying to brute through thick walls.
• Keep the stem intact if possible — it gives the finished jack-o-lantern more character and durability.
• If you want to go less messy (or let little ones join in safely), consider painting your pumpkin instead of carving. The blog suggests white pumpkins are especially easy to paint over
• Think sustainability: save the seeds and pulp for future use or compost, rather than simply discarding.

3. Waste Not: Eat Your Pumpkin Too

So much of the pumpkin often ends up in the bin after carving — but it’s a treasure trove of flavour and nutrition. Here are a few simple ways to make the most of your pumpkin flesh:

• Pumpkin Soup: Roast chunks of pumpkin with olive oil and garlic, then blend with stock, cream and a pinch of nutmeg for a cosy autumn meal.
• Roasted Seeds: Wash, dry, and roast your seeds with salt and smoked paprika — they’re full of healthy fats and crunch.
• Pumpkin Pie or Muffins: Puree the cooked flesh and use it in baking for a taste of sweet, spiced heaven.
• And if you don’t fancy cooking? Simply compost it. Your garden will thank you later.

4. A Sustainable Halloween

Halloween can be a surprisingly wasteful holiday, but your garden offers a greener way to celebrate.

• Compost your pumpkins once the festivities are over — they’ll break down beautifully and enrich your soil for next year’s crops.
• Use natural decorations: dried corn stalks, autumn leaves, pinecones, and branches all add seasonal charm without plastic waste.
• Wildlife-friendly displays: leave one or two pumpkins at the back of your garden for hedgehogs, slugs and insects to enjoy over the coming weeks.

It’s all part of creating a cycle where nothing goes to waste — a key principle in sustainable gardening that we’re proud to champion.

5. Looking Ahead: Grow Your Own Next Year

If carving and cooking have inspired you, why not grow your own pumpkins next season? Here’s how to get started:

1. Save the seeds from this year’s pumpkin.
2. Dry them thoroughly before storing in a paper envelope in a cool, dark place.
3. Sow indoors in April, then plant outside in late May or early June once frost has passed.
4. Feed generously — pumpkins are hungry plants! — and give them plenty of space to sprawl.

Come next autumn, you’ll have your own homegrown pumpkins ready for carving, eating and composting — completing the perfect garden cycle.

Halloween might only last one night, but the pumpkin’s journey is a year-round story of growth, creativity and sustainability. Whether you’re lighting up your doorstep, serving pumpkin soup by the fire, or feeding your compost heap, you’re part of something bigger — a seasonal rhythm that celebrates the best of the garden.

From all of us at Caledonian Horticulture, have a happy, homegrown Halloween — full of orange hues, glowing lanterns and good garden vibes.