The pumpkins you need to be growing for next year's Halloween

I'm not a huge fan of US-style pumpkins, which have killed off our traditional North East turnips when it comes to Halloween '“ which are a nightmare to carve.
Pumpkin Winter Luxury. Picture by Real SeedsPumpkin Winter Luxury. Picture by Real Seeds
Pumpkin Winter Luxury. Picture by Real Seeds

Pumpkins are much easier, the flesh is actually edible, and they do look much better.

With that in mind, I’ve sought out the best carving pumpkins you can grow for next Halloween – not just orange but some ghostly white and warty varieties as well.

Pumpkin Goosebumps. Picture by Kings SeedsPumpkin Goosebumps. Picture by Kings Seeds
Pumpkin Goosebumps. Picture by Kings Seeds

Jack o’ Lantern pumpkins (under 10lb or 4.5kg)

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Becky F1: Medium-sized orange fruit, great for cooking or carving. 20 seeds, £2.79, www.suttons.co.ukWinter Luxury Pumpkin: Super-early with a particularly good flavour, averaging about 2kg (4lb), orange with a slight netting. It will store until Christmas. 12 seed £ 2.41, www.realseeds.co.ukPudsey: 30p from each packet sold will benefit BBC Children in Need, Sweet tasting orange flesh, great for pies and carving. 100 seeds, £1.99, www.mr-fothergills.co.ukHalloween: Perfect for lanterns or for pumpkin pie. They will store until Christmas in a cool, dry place. 8 seeds, £1.99, www.unwins.co.ukJack of all Trades: Each 4kg (9lb) orange fruit has a flat base and a deep, rounded shape. The sweet, orange flesh makes delicious pumpkin pie and soup. Height: 45cm (18”). Spread: 200cm (79”). £2.49, 10 seeds, www.thompson-morgan.comWhite pumpkins

Snowman: Smooth, snow-white skin with yellow/orange flesh, fruit 4-6lb,  £1.95, www.chilternseeds.co.ukWhite Casper: 15lb white pumpkins with less blueing than any other variety. The flesh is also very sweet and it is excellent for carving or painting. 10 seeds, 99p, www.premierseedsdirect.comWarty pumpkins

Goosebumps: Unusual warty skin, producing fruits weighing 3-6kg. 6 seeds, £2, www.kingsseeds.comKnuckle Head F1: Upright deep orange oval fruits with distinctive ‘warts’ and strong handles, approximately 5-7kg in size. Medium vine habit, so suitable for smaller growing areas. 10 seeds, £1.59, www.simplyseed.co.ukFor more pumpkin varieties to grow next year, including giants, visit https://www.mandycanudigit.com/2018/10/08/best-pumpkins-to-grow-for-halloween-lantern-carving/

Pumpkin Knuckle Head. Picture by Simply SeedsPumpkin Knuckle Head. Picture by Simply Seeds
Pumpkin Knuckle Head. Picture by Simply Seeds

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l For more information, plus cook what you grow, recipes, environmental news and more, log on to the website at www.mandycanudigit.com – which is also now smartphone friendly. You can also follow Mandy on Twitter @MandyCanUDigIt or you can like me on my Facebook page at Mandycanudigit

JOBS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

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Prepare runner bean trenches for next spring, with veg waste and cardboard/newspapers.

Remove leaves from Gunnera and use them to cover the crown to protect from frost.

Cover parsley with cloches so that it crops through winter.

If you’ve got tender plants, bring them indoors before they get killed by the frost. Choose a light, frost-free place such as a greenhouse or cold frame. Keep them on the dry side during the winter, so they don’t put on much growth.

If you haven’t done so already, lift all your maincrop potatoes on a dry day and store in bags in a cool dark place. Don’t leave them any longer or the slugs will find them.

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Leave bean plant roots in the soil – they add nitrogen and can be dug in later.

Cut back old wood on blackcurrants and gooseberries, and remove any wispy growth.

Once all the fruit has been picked, let the birds into fruit cages to pick off any pests.

Plant daffodil and crocus bulbs. Tulips can wait until next month.

Give the greenhouse/conservatory a thorough clean with detergent and disinfectant to remove any pests.