When everyone is through cutting and decorating their pumpkins,
save a few seeds from each child/person's very own pumpkin - for
planting next Spring. Even if you don't have a lot of garden space, a container large enough to hold a few pumpkin plants can be placed on patio,porch, etc. Clean, dry, but do not bake the
seeds. Place in a clean dry envelope,and in Spring plant them. Name each particular pumpkin, such as Austin's Awesome, Pattie's Pretty,or Ryan's Ready, etc. Even choosing names can be a fun-filled event with giggles and chuckles. Write the name with magic marker on popsicle sticks and insert in the envelope. These will become the "markers" for each plant variety. Mom and dad or grandparents,when you have finished carving that huge pumpkin that becomes the star attraction, save a few seeds
and sneak one or two into each envelope. Next Summer - a true
Halloween surprise for young and old gardeners alike. And only you know the "secret." And yes, the Great Pumpkin did put that seed there - so all can enjoy yet another great Halloween holiday.
ENJOY!
©Arleen M. Kaptur 2003 October
Arleen Kaptur has written numerous books and articles - for a free news-letter visit: <A href="http://www.arleenssite.com">http://www.arleenssite (http://www.arleenssite./).com