Planted pumpkins are a great oneIdea for autumn decoration. They are a quick and easy project that is fun and enjoyable. Instead of filling the pumpkin with soil (which would cause the shell to rot quickly), the hollowed pumpkin simply serves as a decorative flower pot into which to place a potted plant. Pumpkin flower pots look great in groups or individually, indoors or outdoors, and also make great Halloween decorations. Simply draw a scary grimace on your pumpkin using a marker or felt-tip pen. Plant ornamental grass, sage, or even a succulent to add personality and wild and crazy “hair” to your pumpkin planter. We'll show you a few nice ideas on how you can plant your pumpkin and design it creatively.
Planting pumpkins: It's that easy!
What you need:
Big, sharp knife
Tablespoon or hollowing tool
Medium bowl
Big pumpkin
potted plant
Newspaper
You can use any size plant or pumpkin, just make sure the diameter and height of the planter is no larger than your pumpkin. Feel free to experiment with different types of pumpkin, such as the white Baby Boo pumpkins. A round, thick, flat-bottomed pumpkin is easier to plant than a tall, thin butternut squash.
Choose a pumpkin and your plants
The selection of plants in the nurseries can vary during the season when pumpkins are growingCarving lanternsbe sold, be somewhat restricted. The plants available at this time are often typical autumn plants, such as: B. Chrysanthemums, sunflowers, daisies, carnations (Dianthus) and pansies.
By choosing plants you can achieve many different looks - from elegant to fun. Use orange magic bells, like 'Chameleon Atomic Orange' or 'Calita Orange', to create a cheerful look. For a dramatic contrast, choose the dark, almost black purple bells 'Black Pearl' (Heuchera). It's also possible to use almost any potted plant you already have, provided it can survive the cool weather of fall.
You can also use plants with trailing growth so you don't have to worry if your pumpkin carving art isn't perfect. It would be even better if you remember this when combining plantsConcept "Thriller, Filler, Gamer"hold.
As for the pumpkin, you should choose one that is not overripe. Once opened and carved, overripe pumpkins soften within a few weeks, at which point they become extremely attractive to squirrels and rabbits, who enjoy eating them.
Cut off the lid
Cover your work area with newspaper. Using a sharp carving knife, cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin almost large enough to fit the plant and container. You can estimate the size with your naked eye and cut the hole smaller than you need. Once you've made the hole, hold the pot over it to get a better idea of how big it should be.
You can also break or cut off the stem (although this isn't easy) and use the bottom of the pot to make a circle to mark the spot to cut. Pulling off the pumpkin top can prove a little tricky. You may need to make a few more cuts before the stem comes off completely. If the stem of the pumpkin breaks off while you are pulling, simply slide the knife under the pumpkin and carefully lift it out.
Hollow out the pumpkin
Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to remove any seeds and pumpkin flesh. You can add these to the compost.
Tip: If you prefer, you can store the pumpkin seeds in a bowl to toast. Depending on the variety of pumpkin, you can use the pulp forPumpkin pureeor other recipes, likethis pumpkin cheesecake, use.
Use the spoon or a knife to cut out the flesh of the squash from underneath the edge of the opening. This makes it easier for you to place the plant and plastic pot in the hole. Additionally, you can now determine if you need to enlarge the hole to fit the pot.
Cut a drainage hole
Turn the pumpkin over and cut a drainage hole in the bottom. This prevents water from accumulating in the bottom of the DIY flower pot, which accelerates the pumpkin's rotting and can also lead to waterlogging.
Plant the plants
Try pushing the planter into the hole you made in the pumpkin. You may need to carve a little more at this point to make the pot fit easily into the pumpkin's hole.
If the pumpkin is too large for the planter, you can place folded newspaper or gravel in the bottom to raise the plant so that the edge of the container is almost flush with the top of the pumpkin.
Plant pumpkin and care for it properly
Follow the watering and fertilizing instructions for the specific plant and ensure it receives the required amount of sunlight. TheHowever, pumpkin lasts longer, if it is not in the blazing sun.
Group your planted pumpkin with other autumn potted plants and ornamental pumpkins or simply stand itto the front door. If you're using your pumpkin as a table centerpiece, you'll want to cover it with a base to protect the surface from water.
Halloween pumpkin with decorative kale eyes
You can also fill the openings with moss
