Favourites in the garden is a series about crops that I love so much that I keep growing them year after year. Crops that I am extra grateful for. One of these are pumpkins. In the photo you can see a previous harvest of New England Pumpkins at my allotment garden. Most pumpkins are edible, but some taste better than others, this is a delicious pumpkin alternative. (It also has the right colour for Halloween carving, if that’s something you’re into.)

I don’t understand why we don’t grow more pumpkins. They can easily be a staple in the kitchen. One pumpkin seed gives us so much food, if you grow it into a plant!

Pumpkins grow on vines, and one plant can have several vines, each vine can grow several pumpkins under good conditions (plenty of water, nourishment and sunshine). One pumpkin often weights between 10 and 15 pounds (4.5–7 kg) give or take a little, and that is only one (1)! Even if you only have one pumpkin plant you’ll likely get several pumpkins.

They have great shelf life, store for months in room temperature, and can be used in so many ways. Health-wise they offer a significant amounts of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C. This year I am going to grow two other varieties, ‘Mammoth Gold’ / Cucurbita pepo and ’Waltham Butternut’ / Cucurbita moschata. Do you grow pumpkins? Why? Or why not? Any favourite pumpkin dishes?

What are you grateful for today? Would you like to join me in this Daily Gratitude Practice 2026?

Maria