6 Handy Uses for Pumpkins This Fall

Happy fall, y’all! We’re looking forward to the cool weather and seasonal events to kick off the holiday season. It’s time to stock up on pumpkins and gourds in preparation for Halloween and fall entertaining! If you’re seeking a few unique and handy uses for pumpkins this year, we’ve got you covered.

After purchasing your Georgia-grown pumpkin at Farmview Market, the first step will be coring the pumpkin and saving the insides to incorporate the meat and seeds in your favorite fall recipes.

Gutting Your Pumpkin

 

To collect the pumpkin flesh and seeds, draw and cut a circle around the stem so you can remove the top of the gourd. Make sure to angle inward so the top will stay in place. The size of the hole will vary depending on the intended use featured in the list below.

Then, you can follow the old school method of scraping out the pumpkin flesh with a large spoon, or try this easy 2-minute method by A Wonderful Thought: Insert one of the beaters from an electric hand mixer in a handheld power drill, and let the mixer do all the work for you! Click the link above for step-by-step instructions and photos to guide you.

After you’ve used the insides of the pumpkin to create scrumptious pumpkin pie or other fall recipes, it’s time to get creative! Here are 5 handy uses for pumpkins to use for your fall decorating or Halloween gathering:

Pumpkin Planters

This is the perfect way to decorate your porch or patio, and also greet trick-or-treaters as they approach your home. After cleaning out the pumpkin, poke 4-6 holes in the bottom of the pumpkin so that the soil can drain. We used a hammer and nail for this.

Continue by filling your pumpkin ¾ of the way full with damp potting soil. Tip: If you want to remove excess moisture you can add a layer of charcoal or clay to the bottom of your pumpkin before you add potting soil.

Finally, place your fall plants right into the pumpkin! Depending on the size of your pumpkin, you might have to bunch them in close, but remember, this is just temporary. Remember to re-pot or transfer the plants to your garden after 10-14 days.

Centerpiece Decoration & Vase

Adorn your dining table with a seasonal centerpiece that you can complete yourself with a few simple steps! To make a pumpkin vase, you will need an empty tin can or disposable container that you can place down inside the pumpkin. Tailor the size of the hole in the top of your pumpkin to fit the container. Once you place the tin can or container inside, you may fill it with water and fresh flowers, essential oils and reeds to make a reed diffuser, or twigs and pinecones.

Another great idea is to fill the bottom of the hole with dried beans and place a pillar candle inside. The possibilities are endless!

Pumpkin Punch Bowl

Cut a large, wide hole in the top of your pumpkin. The opening here can be as large as you’d like, or you can cut at an angle so that you can place the stem and “top” back on the punch if you wish. After you clean out the meat and seeds, just give your pumpkin a thorough rinsing before filling with your Halloween party punch. If you’re not a fan of having your beverage touch the inside of the pumpkin, try and fit a small mixing bowl or punch bowl inside of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin Treat Jar

For this project, you will need to find a coffee can or a disposable container with a lid, large enough to fit down in your pumpkin. Once you place the container inside, fill with Halloween candy or your favorite cookies, put the lid on the container, and place the stem/top back on the pumpkin. This keeps your treats fresh as they hide inside their new seasonal cookie jar!

Fall Pumpkin Luminaries

Hit the road, Jack-O-Lanterns! Light the way for your trick-or-treaters or illuminate your home with a gorgeous, natural luminary made from Georgia grown pumpkins. This project allows you to use your creativity to make your design as intricate, or as simple as you’d like. Note: You will need to purchase a pumpkin carving kit for this one, but they can be purchase inexpensively at most large retailers or online.

Some of our favorite lantern ideas include using a handheld power drill to poke holes in a pattern all over the pumpkin, or creating a chevron pattern with carving tools. Put your creativity to the test here! Once finished with your creation, place inside or on your porch and place a tea light inside to illuminate.

We hope you enjoy these creative uses for pumpkins this season. If you consider yourself quite the artisan when it comes to pumpkin creations, we welcome you to register now and join us on Saturday, October 21^st for our upcoming pumpkin decorating contest during our second annual Flavors of Fall Festival and Farmers Market event!