{"id":40980,"date":"2024-10-15T12:56:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T10:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/73749c3d-910c-41ac-8cf2-fceab10e705a"},"modified":"2024-10-15T14:32:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T12:32:39","slug":"the-weirdest-scariest-pumpkins-and-gourds-to-grow-and-how-to-grow-them","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/the-weirdest-scariest-pumpkins-and-gourds-to-grow-and-how-to-grow-them\/","title":{"rendered":"The weirdest, scariest pumpkins and gourds to grow and how to grow them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy\u2019s pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks. Photographs John Campbell <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 15 October 2024 at 10:56 AM<\/p>

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Pumpkins<\/a> bring joy \u2013 just place the little, white variety called \u2018Baby Boo\u2019 in the hands of a small child and watch their eyes light up. When they are a few years older, pass them a bright-orange pumpkin such as \u2018Sankt Martin\u2019 that weighs about the same as a newborn baby, and they will often hug and cuddle it.<\/p>

You may also like:<\/strong><\/p>

Pumpkin seeds: what to do with pumpkin innards<\/a><\/li>
Pumpkin seed oil recipes<\/a><\/li>
Growing pumpkins: How to grow your own pumpkin and squash<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Being American, I have always loved pumpkins, gourds, ornamental corn and anything from the garden that Americans associate with late-summer harvests and Halloween<\/a>. I now garden in Mantua, in perhaps the most famous pumpkin province of Italy, and grow oddities nobody else in the area knows about \u2013 I figure there\u2019s no need to grow the same delicious edible pumpkins Italians already do, so have specialised in ornamental gourds, most small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.<\/p>
Jump to<\/strong><\/p>
Weird and wonderful gourds and pumpkins to grow<\/a><\/li>
How to grow Clark’s pumpkins<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
My vegetable garden is only 20m x 22m and almost half of it is shaded by four walnut trees that I don\u2019t have the heart to cut down, so I have to grow vertically on bamboo sticks and trellises. I grow popcorn, sunflowers, heirloom beans, amaranth, zinnias<\/a>, shiso and a few different species of Ipomoea to create a bit of a jungle scene. Castor oil plants in deep reds and dark green add height, colour and botanical interest. But it is really the pumpkins that rule here. The whole space is dominated by a gourd tunnel, which runs down the middle of the garden, shading a brick walk and dividing my ten vegetable beds into two rows of five.<\/p>
Cucurbita argyrosperma gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
I\u2019ve tried growing many kinds of Cucurbitaceae (plants from the gourd family), including the sweet-smelling, tennis-ball sized Queen Anne\u2019s pocket melon (Cucumis melo<\/em>), luffa (Luffa aegyptiaca<\/em>), kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus<\/em>) and cucamelons, also known as mouse melons (Melothria scabra<\/em>). Any of the prickly cucumbers (Cucumis hirsutus, Cucumis dipsaceus, Cucumis myriocarpus, Cucumis africanus<\/em>) make a great trellis cover and can also be grown in large pots on a balcony.<\/p>
Every year I try about ten new cultivars from seed<\/a>s. I love different shades of orange<\/a>, but the garden is more interesting with some little black-and-white<\/a> pumpkins, peachy pink ones covered in warts, bright-yellow carving pumpkins and lime-green gourds too. Some dry well and can be made into mini birdhouses or bowls.<\/p>
$\"French$
French heirloom gourd \u2018Bule\u2019 gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The more you cultivate specific plants, the more you appreciate small details that are rarely mentioned in seed catalogues or websites. The most amazing but under- celebrated feature of cucurbits for me is the geometric perfection and strength of their tendrils. How quickly they grip on to whatever stick or support is near them and then coil up into a spring, twisting in two directions from the centre toward the extremities. They really know how to hold on. Tug at one, and its resilience will surprise you.<\/p>
The flowers of many cucurbits are edible, but some are simply too beautiful to eat. Those of the bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria<\/em>) have five petals with rounded tips. As night falls, its crinkled, tissue-paper buds open into translucent white blooms that last until early morning, more fragrant than the sweetest melon. <\/p>
$\"A$ A tableau of black gourds including \u2018Black Kat\u2019, \u2018Warts Galore\u2019 and \u2018American Wings\u2019 \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Of the 15 or so cucurbit varieties I grow, my favourite for flowers appears in my pumpkin tunnel in August, poking out on stems from vines of the snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina<\/em>). They look like small, pure-white passion flowers.<\/p>
The garden is more interesting with little black-and-white pumpkins, peachy-pink ones covered in warts, bright- yellow carving pumpkins and lime-green gourds too. <\/p><\/blockquote>
By September<\/a>, its fruits dangle down from the trellis like curly green serpents, ever-so-slightly fuzzy. There is nothing there to eat, but they are a treat for the fingers, a delight for the eyes and a surprise for the nose. <\/p>
Garden visitors take a whiff but seldom guess what those corkscrew fruits smell like until I suggest roasted peanuts, to which they usually laugh and agree \u2013 \u201cExactly, that\u2019s it!\u201d The fruits brighten as they mature to orange and then red, which is when their seeds are viable \u2013 and worth collecting, as they come true year after year.<\/p>
By the end of October, if left on the vine, they will start to turn slimy, but nothing goes to waste in my garden. Guests eat all the sweet pumpkins I grow and my goats, peacocks and chickens get the rest. If any gourds go squishy instead of drying, they are added to the compost, and I can recommend miniature goats as the ideal power tool for clearing an abandoned winter pumpkin patch.<\/p>
Tips for growing gourds, pumpkins and cucurbits<\/h2>
To grow cucurbits, you should consider what they want, first. They need a lot of sun, rich soil, water and a bit of wind to thrive. The biggest and best pumpkins are always those that grow out of control from a compost heap<\/a> or near a chicken coop<\/a>.<\/p>
Here’s our guide on growing pumpkins and squashes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
How to plant pumpkin seeds<\/h3>
Plant indoor-sown seedlings out or sow seeds direct outside when there is absolutely no danger of frost \u2013 for me, this is mid- to late April at the earliest, when the soil is likely to have warmed up. To slightly lower the chances of seeds rotting, I sow them standing up on their sides, not flat on their backs.<\/p>
When fruits appear and start to weigh more than it seems their vines can bear, provide support that allows water, light, and air to get to them: I use repurposed nets from supermarket lemons or make little swings for them to sit on, which encourages flat bottoms.<\/p>
$\"Winter$
\u2018Chicago Warted Hubbard\u2019 \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
When to harvest gourds<\/h3>
Pumpkins and decorative gourds should be ready to harvest in late summer to early autumn. They need a week to ten days in the late summer sun to cure, and they can then be moved indoors to a safe location.<\/p>
Try to prevent rainwater<\/a> from collecting at the base of the stems after they have been cut from the vine. Curing them on their sides and rolling them every few days can be helpful.<\/p>
How to store <\/h3>
Store fruit in a cool, well-ventilated room, and it\u2019s incredible how long some will last. I don\u2019t varnish my gourds but if mould starts to form on the surface in autumn or winter, I wipe them with a cloth dampened with diluted bleach.<\/p>
$\"Gourds$
\u2018American Wings\u2019 These gourds often look like birds, specifically warty geese. They come in fantastic forms and are interesting to look at, but sadly are usually the first to go mouldy and rot. Keep your eye on them in the house. \u2018Tiny Turk\u2019 An heirloom winter squash. Turban squash (Cucurbita maxima) is delicious, nutty and sweet, but they are so beautiful I have never wanted to cut into one until it was too late. They are often stuffed with bread and cheese, nuts or sausage and baked. \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
How to carve pumpkins<\/h3>
Carved pumpkins don\u2019t last long. Mould can begin to form in just a few days, and they attract fruit flies quickly. If you would like to make Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, plan the carving as a day-before activity.<\/p>
A carving tip for beginners: when cutting the tops off pumpkins, always insert your knife at an angle so the lid doesn\u2019t drop into the empty space you hollow out.<\/p>
Here’s what to do with pumpkin innards<\/a><\/strong><\/p>
Intriguing pumpkin and gourd varieties<\/h2>
1. ‘Lunch Lady\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"'Lunch$
‘Lunch lady’ gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A large, bitter gourd, covered in warts. Vines are strong enough to hold the 2-9kg fruits.<\/p>
2. \u2018Bule\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"Bule$
\u2018Bule\u2019 gourd<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A gourd, pronounced \u2018boo-lay\u2019. French heirloom gourd like a green warty apple. A vigorous climber with exquisite white flowers. Dry to create large rattles.<\/p>
3. \u2018Moon Beam\u2019 F1 <\/h3>
$\"'Moon$
‘Moon Beam’ F1 Gourd John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
My favourite white pumpkin, excellent for carving, with strong stems. Long lasting. Averaging 3-4kg in weight, it is a slightly smaller version of \u2018Honey Moon\u2019. When you\u2019re looking to buy seeds, keep the two words separate, as Moonbeam is a saucer- shaped, scalloped, F1 white patty pan summer squash.<\/p>
4. Cucurbita argyrosperma<\/em> <\/h3>
$\"Cucurbita$
Cucurbita argyrosperma gourd<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The silver seed gourd, or Cushaw green-striped squash, is a Mexican winter squash. Its name is no lie; the seeds are lined with silver. It\u2019s the only pumpkin I know that\u2019s cultivated for its edible flowers, seeds and vine shoots, rather than its bitter flesh, which I give to my goats.<\/p>
5. \u2018Warts Galore\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"Black$
Warts Galore pumpkin or gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Some of these gourds can be nearly black. They make fantastic Halloween decorations. Add pipe-cleaner legs and big googly eyes and you have a spider; add wings and hang from their stems, and you have bats. Great fun for kids who aren\u2019t ready for carving.<\/p>
6. \u2018Galeuse D\u2019Eysines\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"$
\u2018Galeuse D\u2019Eysines\u2019 gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The fruit of this French heirloom squash cultivar weighs 4.5-7kg and is often grown more for its peanutty bumps than the flavour of its flesh. The blisters are actually concentrations of sugars that come to the surface as it matures. It\u2019s sweet, but the flesh too soft and watery \u2013 better for soup than pies.<\/p>
7. \u2018Chicago Warted Hubbard\u2019<\/h3>
$\"$
\u2018Chicago Warted Hubbard\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This dark-green winter squash is as sweet and delicious as it is ugly. Golden flesh excellent for baking. Fruits weigh 6kg on average.<\/h3>
8. \u2018Pomme d\u2019Or\u2019
$\"\u2018Pomme$
\u2018Pomme d\u2019Or\u2019 pumpkins \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>
Slightly larger than tennis balls, these pumpkins grow very well vertically and are perfect for children to draw and paint on. One plant can produce ten or more fruits. They last for months in cool, dry storage. <\/p>
9. \u2018Casperita\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"\u2018Casperita\u2019$
\u2018Casperita\u2019 pumpkin \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Slightly larger pumpkin than \u2018Baby Boo\u2019 but still fits in one hand. It is just large enough when carved to hold a little tea light.<\/p>
10. ‘Crown of Thorns\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"\u2018Crown$
\u2018Crown of Thorns\u2019 gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Made to hold \u2013 there\u2019s nothing more oddly satisfying for the fingers than wrapping them around the bumps of this ornamental gourd \u2013 one finger between each ridge. You have to try it to seehow good it feels.<\/p>
11. \u2018Violina Di Rugosa\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"'Violina$
‘Violina Di Rugosa\u2019 \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
An Italian heirloom pumpkin, a sort of wrinkled butternut that is hard to beat for taste and quality. The bumpier it is, the more tricky peeling can be, but baking and then peeling is always an option, and the entire neck and most of the body is flesh (not an empty cavity full of strings and seeds).<\/p>
12. \u2018Beretta Piacentina\u2019 <\/h3>
$\"Heirloom$
Heirloom pumpkin \u2018Beretta Piacentina\u2019 \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The Italian provinces of Mantua and Piacenza both claim this heirloom pumpkin as their own because it is one of the best for baking. It is slowly being replaced by the F1 cultivar \u2018Delica\u2019, which is dark green, smaller, always sweet and easier to peel. Slice this very thin, fry until golden brown, sprinkle with salt, and you might agree with me: it is pumpkin perfection.<\/p>
Useful information<\/strong><\/p>
Clark Lawrence runs Reading Retreats in Rural Italy, taking care of his guests, garden and goats at a restored pump house near Mantua, Italy. lamacchinafissa.com<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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When to harvest gourds<\/h3>Pumpkins and decorative gourds should be ready to harvest in late summer to early autumn. They need a week to ten days in the late summer sun to cure, and they can then be moved indoors to a safe location.<\/p>

Intriguing pumpkin and gourd varieties<\/h2>1. ‘Lunch Lady\u2019 <\/h3>‘Lunch lady’ gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>A large, bitter gourd, covered in warts. Vines are strong enough to hold the 2-9kg fruits.<\/p>

1. ‘Lunch Lady\u2019 <\/h3>‘Lunch lady’ gourd \u00a9 John Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>A large, bitter gourd, covered in warts. Vines are strong enough to hold the 2-9kg fruits.<\/p>

2. \u2018Bule\u2019 <\/h3>\u2018Bule\u2019 gourd<\/figcaption><\/figure>A gourd, pronounced \u2018boo-lay\u2019. French heirloom gourd like a green warty apple. A vigorous climber with exquisite white flowers. Dry to create large rattles.<\/p>