Helpful information
Timing: Autumn
Where to do it: Outdoors, indoors
Garden space: Large garden, small garden, balcony
Timing: Autumn
Where to do it: Outdoors, indoors
Garden space: Large garden, small garden, balcony
Autumn is the season where pumpkins are ripe and ready for picking.
Towards the end of October, your home may suddenly be filled with pumpkins. These could be ones you've grown, got from a pick your own field or purchased from the supermarket. There are lots of things we commonly think of doing with pumpkins. Like carving and designing them for Halloween, or making pumpkin pie.
Another creative option is to use your pumpkin as a planter. If you keep it in a cool spot outside, it should last longer before gradually decomposing.
What plants to grow in a pumpkin planter
A pumpkin planter will not last forever! So, you are best choosing simple, cold-weather loving plants that can be moved on at a later date. For example:
The step by step guide below shows you how to plant up your pumpkin. But, you could just use it as a decorative outdoor 'pot'. Keep your plants inside their growing pot and simply place the pot inside the pumpkin. This makes it very easy to remove them again at a later date.
Essential items
Follow these steps to make your pumpkin planter with ease.
Step 1: Gather everything you need
Bring all your equipment to where you will be doing this activity. This is something you could do seated at a table inside or outside.
This guide assumes you have already prepared your pumpkin and cleared the insides. If you haven't and you would like some advice on how best to do this, read our guide to carving and designing your pumpkin.
Step 2: Create drainage holes
As your pumpkin is becoming a planter, it needs drainage holes in the bottom. Use a screwdriver, or similar object, to make 3-5 small drainage holes in the bottom of the pumpkin. Space the holes apart from each other.
Step 3: Add compost
Fill the pumpkin between a third and half full with compost.
Step 4: Position plants
Gently place your plants on top of the soil inside the pumpkin. You may have to gently taking them out of their growing pots first.
Step 5: Fill around with compost
Add more compost so you have filled around the plants. The soil level in the pumpkin wants to be as high as the soil level of the plants.
Step 6: Gently water
Add a little bit of water. You do not want your pumpkin planter to get too soaked, or it may go mouldy more quickly.
Place your pumpkin planter in a cool spot outside, where you can easily admire it.
Your pumpkin planter will not last forever. Once it inevitably starts to decompose, you have options. You could gently remove your plants and place them in the ground or another container. Your pumpkin can then be added to the compost.
Or, you could dig a large hole in a bed or border and put your pumpkin complete with plant in it. The pumpkin will gradually die down in the soil.
Carving and designing a pumpkin is a wonderfully creative Halloween tradition. You might even be lucky enough to have one you've grown yourself to use!
