Independence Day - and pumpkins!

Happy Fourth of July. Don’t forget to celebrate our nation’s independence with patriotic displays of flags and fireworks.

And pumpkins.

At least pumpkin seeds. Years ago I interviewed a local farmer who grew acres of pumpkins for a pumpkin patch. He told me the Fourth of July is the right time to plant pumpkins in order for them to be mature just in time for jack-o’-lantern carving come Halloween.

It’s an easy date to remember and we’ve planted them around Independence Day ever since.

My kids like to grow ginormous pumpkins for carving, and I like Sugar Pies for canning. Most pumpkin varieties mature in 85 to 100 days.

So plant now for a summer of lush, vining tendrils (give them lots and lots of room) and a fall harvest for pumpkin carving or pies.

(Thanks, Haute Mamas Robin, for the photo illustration.)