November often brings unpredictable weather and thus heralds the start of winter gardening. I followed my advice this year and started cleaning garden beds during our gloriously sunny September afternoons. I worked hard to pull out plants after collecting the seeds. I sprinkled some for a winter crop and stashed some for spring, so I feel ahead. I have the time to gather all my pumpkins and prepare them for carving and decorating without feeling rushed.
I specifically planted my pumpkins in mid-June to time my harvest closer to Thanksgiving. While many carve Jack-o-Lanterns for Halloween décor, over the years, I've found that our October gets a bit hectic. We seem to have more time for pumpkin crafts in November. Having a week-long Thanksgiving break is pretty standard, so I like saving fun projects to keep my family engaged. Now that my kids are teens, they have more dexterity and can carve more elaborate designs. This year, I planted Atlantic Giant pumpkins so we could try the more intricate designs in the carving packets. While we carve, it's been a tradition to save and roast the seed. We each create a savory or sweet spice combo for the seeds and then judge which tastes the best. Those seeds will stay on the table in bowls to snack on throughout the week. After carving, we will place the pumpkins and other fall items on the porch for a festive display.
I found this last project in a magazine back in 2015. It has become a favorite because it always turns out famously whether you keep it simple or get involved. Any size of pumpkin will work; pictured is a mid-sized Jarrah Dale and white Spooky.
For this craft, you will need tacky glue spray or hot glue, succulents, moss, acorns, tiny bits of bark, pinecones, and whatever you think looks festive. I even tucked in a squirrel from one of my fairy gardens. Get creative! A bonus activity is hiking after a rainy day and collecting items from the woods. We have a fantastic selection of moss and lichen right at our doorsteps, but if you can't find any, Friedman's Home Improvement sells large bags of moss at a cheaper price than the craft store.
For the assembly, choose the pumpkin you'd like to decorate. Spray with tacky glue and stick the moss around the stem and top edge. Press in various succulents, and arrange items like you would a flower bouquet. If necessary, use a glue gun to attach anything still moving around. Now, you have a gorgeous centerpiece for any table, and if you use mini pumpkins, they make cute placeholders for your holiday table.
To keep them looking fresh, mist the top with a spray bottle every few days. The pictured pumpkin lasted well into spring because I kept it hydrated. If you end up doing this project or have other pumpkin crafts you like making, send me a photo. I enjoy seeing other people's creativity and am always looking for new projects or ideas.
All my best to you and your families this wonderful month of November.
Happy Thanksgiving!