![]() ![]() Your guests will be talking about your party well after the event has ended. They are guaranteed to be a topic of conversation. The shells work great for desserts as well, ice creams, puddings, and purées. You can pour your favorite soup into a warmed up shell to help keep it warm. You can put stuffing or a casserole in the pumpkins and bake it right in the pumpkin shell. Simply cut the tops off the pumpkins and scoop the insides out. The food in them can be either hot or cold. Another use for the miniature pumpkins is to use them as a serving dish for individual serving sizes at dinner parties. Miniature pumpkins are edible there are many recipes available for pumpkins purees, soups and pies. They can also be carved into mini jack-o'-lanterns for a Halloween party. If the desire is to be more unique or fancy, the pumpkins can be painted to go with any particular party or holiday theme. When arranged in a basket they make a beautiful centerpiece straight out of the garden. The most common use is Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations. There are many uses for the 'Jack Be Little' pumpkins as well as other mini varieties. ![]() ![]() Miniature pumpkins are firm and fully orange when ripe unless they are 'Baby Boo' pumpkins, which are white when ripe. Take care and supervise small children when they are helping in the harvesting process. Remember that the stem is important to many decorating designs so use a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. Harvesting miniature pumpkins is quite simple once they are ripe. To treat, apply fungicides at the first signs of problems, or avoid problems by applying a fungicide before mildew appears. The most common disease problem for pumpkins is powdery mildew. For more advice on which insecticides or animal deterrents to use in your area, check with your local nursery or agricultural center. There are many pepper or garlic sprays that can be used in order to keep rabbits, chipmunks, woodchucks, squirrels and deer at bay. Aside from insects there are other threats to the pumpkin patch. TODDLER TWINS MINI PUMPKINS PATCHThe most likely insect assailants on the pumpkin patch are squash bugs, squash vine borers, as well as cucumber beetles. It is important to spray or dust early before any sign of infestation is seen. There are many animal and insect pests that will enjoy the fruits of labor put into a pumpkin patch if the appropriate pesticide or repellent is not used. Mulching well around the plants will retain moisture and keep the weeding that has to be done to a minimum. It is also important to fertilize the soil early in the growing season. Remember to allow enough time before dark for the leaves to dry in order to prevent fungus from growing. The soil should be kept between damp and moist, however not saturated all of the time. Pumpkins need to be watered well and watered often. It is important to note if they are planted too early they may rot before Halloween. Allow ninety to one hundred days for the pumpkins to reach maturity. Pumpkins intended for Halloween should be planted in May in the northern states, and anytime from June to early July for the southern states with longer growing seasons. Miniature pumpkins can also be planted along fence lines, trellises, arbors, balconies or railings. You can grow pumpkins on a scaled down basis in containers. Another miniature variety that works great for decorating is the 'Baby Boo' pumpkin-it is actually white in color when ripe. Growing miniature pumpkins such as 'Jack Be Little' or 'Wee-B-Little', takes up far less space than the larger pumpkins. They make beautiful centerpieces when placed in baskets with other fall harvest vegetables as well as having many other uses. Miniature pumpkins may not qualify for any giant pumpkin competitions but they are definitely a must have for fall holiday decorating. These little beauties are small enough-even at their fully grown size-for little hands to pick and carry. They are perfect for smaller children to help with as they are easily managed. Miniature pumpkins are easy and fun to grow. Your comments are welcome, but please be aware that authors of previously published articles may not be able to promptly respond to new questions or comments.) ![]() (Editor's Note: This article was originally published on November 20, 2008. ![]()
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