
31 Days of
Pumpkins
31 Days of Pumpkins

1. Know Your 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.

2. Get All You Can Carry
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!

4. Add Succulents
Top an heirloom pumpkin with succulents for a long-lasting, attractive display for indoors or outside.
5. Decoupage a Pumpkin
Use clippings from your garden to create these gorgeous no-carve decorated pumpkins.

6. Paint 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!

7. Send a Message
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.

8. Make a Scarecrow
Keep crows away from your cool-season veggie garden with a homemade scarecrow, complete with pumpkin head!
9. Decorate the Entryway
Bring in pumpkins, mums, hay bales, corn stalks, and Halloween decorations to kick off the spooky season.

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

11. Stake It Out
Garden stakes add another layer of seasonal interest to your garden beds and entryways.
12. Update Container Gardens
Add mini pumpkins and gourds to your fall container gardens that are already filled with mums, ornamental peppers and more fall favorites.
13. Fly Your Flag
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.

14. Decorate the Mantel
Miniature pumpkins and gourds are a perfect autumn touch when clustered on the mantel or side tables.
15. Set the Table
Set your fall tablescape with mini pumpkins, mums, fresh herbs, candles and more.

16. Decorate Your Office
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.
17. Make a Jack-o-Plantern
Cut the top off your pumpkin, fill with soil, and plant mums, ornamental peppers, pansies and more!

18. Arrange Some Flowers
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.

19. Go to School
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.

20. Carve a Jack-o-Lantern
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.

21. Etch a Pumpkin
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.

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

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

24. Sip a PSL
Make your own pumpkin spice latte with your fresh puree . YUM!

25. Bake a Pie
You don't have to wait 'til Thanksgiving to enjoy a homemade pumpkin pie!

26. Make it Foggy
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.

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

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

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

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

31. Grow Your Own
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.