Pumpkins in the fall

Pumpkins are a huge tradition around the fall or autumn time, and are often associated with harvest festival celebrations, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. But what do we know about pumpkins and where do these traditions come from? 🎃

Pumpkins are thought to have originated from Central America around 7,500 years ago, however they are now grown successfully all over the world and form a large part of autumn celebrations in North America and Europe.  They are technically a type of squash and can come in all different shapes, sizes and colours!  The most classically well-known orange pumpkins are actually called Connecticut Field Pumpkins or Harvest Moon pumpkins and these are usually used at Halloween because they are so good for carving.

Making Jack-o'-lanterns or carved pumpkins started in Ireland in 19th century where they carved faces out or turnips or mangel wurzels to ward off evil spirits.  This practice became part of Halloween celebrations where they were used to represent supernatural beings on the eve of All Hallows or All Saints and is now synonymous with Halloween wherever it is celebrated. 

Pumpkins also play a huge role in the American tradition of Thanksgiving.  The Pilgrims apparently ate pumpkins and squashes that were native to New England and so gradually they became added to the Thanksgiving meal either as a savoury dish such as mashed pumpkin, or a sweet dish in the form of pumpkin pie. 

A huge number of pumpkins are grown every year around the world.  Around 700,000 tonnes of pumpkins are produced in the US each fall, but the number grown in China far exceeds this with around 8.1 million tonnes harvested each year.  Sadly, many of these pumpkins are wasted as they are used for carving and decoration and then discarded into landfill.  We can make more sustainably choices however, if we try to choose varieties that are more edible so the flesh, seeds and skin are not wasted.  We can also make sure we compost any leftover pumpkin or put it out for birds, squirrels and foxes who may benefit from the extra food source at this time of year.  Roasting the seeds is another good option for making the most of the pumpkin's inner contents.  Finally, try to buy pumpkins from a local farm as this minimises the transport costs and emissions and supports local businesses.  And it's sure to be a fun day out too!

To find out more, click here to read about pumpkins and the issue of unsustainability.

To find out how to use your pumpkin once Halloween is over, click here for some ideas!

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Activity: Make a hedgehog home

This is the time of year when hedgehogs start to hibernate. Hedgehogs are sadly in decline in the UK with less than a million left due to a decline in their habitats. Making a home or shelter for hedgehogs will help them by providing them with a secure place to shelter, hibernate, or even raise little hoglets safely.

Hedgehogs go house-hunting in the autumn and so this is the ideal time of year to set one up.  To make a really simple hedgehog home, all you need is a large cardboard box.  Cut two side vents into the two walls of the box and a large entrance for the hedgehog to walk in.  Next, find a place suitable to put the hedgehog home.  A quiet part of your garden under thick vegetation is best. Somewhere behind a shed if you have one would be perfect!  Place the box south-facing if you can.  Finally, tear up some newspaper and place it inside to make a cosy and dry floor.  Add some straw on top if you have it.  If you box is not under vegetation, you might want to cover it with a plastic bag (leaving the vents and entrance open) and then place leaves and deadwood on top.  

You can also make a hedgehog house out of a more sturdy plastic container or even pieces of wood if you have them.  Click here to read instructions from the Wildlife Trusts.

Linking gardens together is also a great way of making areas more hedgehog friendly.  Did you know that hedgehogs can travel up to one mile every night?!  Ensure that you have small holes at the bottom of your fence that are free of leaves and twigs for hedgehogs to pass through.  See if you can get your whole street on board to help make a hedgehog highway! Click here to find out more from the Hedgehog Street campaign. 

Colours of the fall

Looking at the horizon now, I can see so many autumn colours on all the trees that surround our houses, parks and green spaces.  I am reminded of the rainbows of lockdown and how the bright colours were a symbol of hope in these uncertain days.  With another (sort-of!) of lockdown feeling imminent, it feels like the right time to take a moment to look at the colours and beauty around us and take ourselves into nature where it is calm, quiet and peaceful.  

I love nothing more than stepping out of the door and finding new woodland trails to explore in my local area.  Seeing the colours on the leaves turning shades of yellow, orange and red made me stop and think about how and why this happens. What is it that makes the leaves change colour and fall down, and why does it happen now?

Well it's all down to chemicals in the leaves called pigments. Chlorophyll is the most well-known pigment which makes the leaves a green colour. This helps the plant to make food using the sun's light. Another pigment is carotene which is a yellow colour, and anthocyanin which turns the leaves red and pink. 

The strength of these pigments is determined by different things.  When the nights start to get colder, the chlorophyll is destroyed by the colder temperatures and the leaf takes on a yellow colour.  If the weather stays dry, the sugars in the leaves become more concentrated and more anthocyanin is produced making the leaves turn red. Sunny days help the plant use up the remaining chlorophyll and produce sugars making it turn from green to red. 

As the days get shorter and darker, it signals to the tree to shed its leaves.  This is because there is not enough sunlight for the tree to keep producing energy and so the leaves are dropped and will be regrown in the spring. The shedded leaves fall to the ground and are decomposed by bacteria and fungi which releases nutrients ready to be taken up again. 

To find out more about the tree cycle, visit The Wildlife Trusts page on Autumn Leaves 🍁