31 Days of 
Pumpkins

Variety is the pumpkin spice of life! Be sure to incorporate lots of different gourds into your fall displays for various colors, textures, shapes and sizes.

Bring a family member with you to your nearest Pike Nurseries to load your arms with as many medium sized classic orange pumpkins as you can carry for $24.99!

Stack pumpkins and add moss to create a 3-tiered topiary!

Top an heirloom pumpkin with succulents for a long-lasting, attractive display for indoors or outside.

Use clippings from your garden to create these gorgeous no-carve decorated pumpkins.

Let the kiddos get hands on with some paint and pumpkins. They'll last much longer than carved ones, so you can do this as early in the season as you like!

Painting gourds ain't just for kids. Create your own fun messages or even paint your house numbers on a stack of pumpkins for a cool seasonal display.

Keep crows away from your cool-season veggie garden with a homemade scarecrow, complete with pumpkin head!

Bring in pumpkins, mums, hay bales, corn stalks, and Halloween decorations to kick off the spooky season.

Create all-natural door décor with a grapevine wreath decorated with mini pumpkins and gourds, pine cones, garden clippings, and more.

Garden stakes add another layer of seasonal interest to your garden beds and entryways.

Add mini pumpkins and gourds to your fall container gardens that are already filled with mums, ornamental peppers and more fall favorites.

A festive flag can added to the yard, a container, by the mailbox, etc. Start with Halloween then transition to a general fall or Thanksgiving flag.

Miniature pumpkins and gourds are a perfect autumn touch when clustered on the mantel or side tables.

Set your fall tablescape with mini pumpkins, mums, fresh herbs, candles and more.

Your love of pumpkins doesn't have to be limited to your home. Add some pumpkins to your desk for a fall vibe that'll give you life during all those virtual meetings.

Cut the top off your pumpkin, fill with soil, and plant mums, ornamental peppers, pansies and more!

Instead of cutting off the whole top for a pumpkin planter, only cut out enough space for a vase, bowl or even tin can. Fit your vase into the hole, add water and create a fall floral arrangement.

Create some pumpkin-themed lessons to support your kiddo's school topics. Counting seeds, pumpkin life cycle, lettering, and investigation/observation are just a few ideas.

Can't go wrong with a classic! A quick Internet search will produce tons of inspiration and new ideas for this year's jack-o-lanterns.

Try the etching technique by carving away the top layer but leaving some of the lighter colored pumpkin flesh. It'll add dimension to your design and create a nice glow once lit.

Save the seeds from your carving session and roast them up with some olive oil and salt.

Roast some pumpkin then puree the softened meat in a blender for fresh, homemade puree. Ready for desserts, soups, drinks, even baby food!

Make your own pumpkin spice latte with your fresh puree . YUM!

You don't have to wait 'til Thanksgiving to enjoy a homemade pumpkin pie!

Use a small fog machine or dry ice to create a cool foggy effect in your jack-o-lanterns. Fogging decorative pieces are available for purchase, too.

Create fun, one-of-a-kind fall and Halloween decorations by upcycling jars, wood scraps, cardboard tubes, fabric remnants and more.

Have a contest among your family members for the best decorated pumpkin. Winner gets bragging rights and maybe skips chore duty?

The classic pumpkin costume is so precious on babies and doggies.

Once your carved pumpkins start to decompose, add them to your compost pile to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden.

Save some seeds from your favorite pumpkins (or buy fresh seeds next year) and plant your own! Sow seeds in May or June to have pumpkins by October.