Pumpkin container gardens also make great Halloween decorations. Use acrylic craft paint or draw a face on your pumpkin with a permanent marker. Plant grass, sage, or even a succulent in a pot to give your pumpkin planter personality and wild and crazy “hair.” You can use any size potted plant or pumpkin, just make sure that the diameter and height of the nursery pot aren’t larger than your pumpkin. Feel free to experiment with different varieties of pumpkins to create a stunning display.
Project Metrics
Large, sharp knifePencilScooping toolMedium-sized bowl
Materials
Large pumpkinPotted nursery plant(s)Newspaper
Instructions
You can achieve lots of different looks with plant choice—from elegant to hilarious. Use an orange million bells, such as Superbells ‘Dreamsicle’ or ‘Tequila Sunrise’, to get a cheery look. Try a dark, almost black heuchera, such as ‘Dolce Blackcurrant’’ for dramatic contrast. Also, consider using plants that will drape over the top of the pumpkin, so you don’t have to worry if your pumpkin carving skills aren’t perfect. It’s possible to use almost any potted plant you’re already growing, provided it can survive the chilly weather that occurs in fall if you plan to leave your pumpkin outdoors. Select a pumpkin that is not yet over-ripe. Once opened up and carved, an overly ripe pumpkin will begin to soften within a couple of weeks. At that point, they are extremely attractive to squirrels and rabbits who love to munch on them. This method also works if you’d like to create a pumpkin planter with the pumpkin laying on its side. If the pumpkin is too tall for the plant container, you can place folded newspaper or wood scraps in the bottom to elevate the plant so the lip of the container is nearly flush with the top of the pumpkin. Group your pumpkin planter with other fall container gardens, gourds, and pumpkins, or just place it on a doorstep. If you use your pumpkin planter for a table decoration, make sure to put something under it to protect the table surface.
