Hello Pumpkin 🎃

Hey there, pumpkin! October is here, and whether you’re into Halloween or just love the season, pumpkins and gourds make fantastic decorations. Of course, pumpkin carving is a classic, but did you know that uncarved pumpkins can be just as festive? Left uncut and stored in a cool, dry place, pumpkins can last up to three months—or longer! I even had a few mini pumpkins last half a year on my coffee table, and my sibling still has one from last fall in their backyard.

These days, pumpkins come in more than just orange—they can be yellow, green, white, and even blue! They come in all shapes too, from short and squat to long and lean. Personally, I love the oblong warty ones; they remind me of Halloween characters like Frankenstein or witches.

Carving pumpkins, though, has its own deep-rooted history. The tradition began in the 19th century when Irish immigrants in the U.S. found pumpkins easier to carve than the turnips they used back home. The practice goes back even further, to the 18th century, with people carving lanterns from turnips or potatoes to ward off spirits on Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest. The classic Jack-o’-lantern comes from Irish folklore about a trickster named Stingy Jack. After a lifetime of tricking the Devil, Jack was denied both Heaven and Hell. The Devil gave him only a piece of coal to light his way, which he placed in a carved turnip. This eerie tradition continued, with families carving faces into turnips to scare off Jack and other spirits during Samhain.

Whether you’re looking to carve or just enjoy the colors, the Chico Certified Farmer’s Market has the pumpkins and gourds you need to get into the spirit!