To the delight of neighborhood children (and squirrels), for the past few years I have transformed our front yard into a sprawling urban pumpkin patch. It was such a treat pulling into our driveway (mindful to avoid the occasional renegade vine) only to be greeted by charming hand-like leaves embracing countless orange globes of varying sizes. I came to adore my pumpkin patch and tended each pumpkin tenderly: I rotated them to avoid flat sidedness, placed them gently atop a mound of straw to deter slug and moisture damage, and sprayed them with varying homemade concoctions to deter squirrel snacking (they were not deterred). Despite the fact that squashes are about as easy to grow as dandelions, I felt an incredible sense of pride and accomplishment with the arrival of each new pumpkin.
As children discovered our patch, we began to have regular visitors (we are experiencing this surge once again since the addition of front yard chickens). I would watch with delight as they marveled at the pumpkins perched in their natural habitat. I put up pumpkin-shaped signs that said, "Welcome" and "The Pumpkin Patch". When the pumpkin patch became bare and straggly looking, I filled it in with straw and potted chrysanthemums. Later, I over seeded with nasturtium which provided heaps of gorgeous autumnal-hued flowers perfect for bejeweling many a salad and water infusion.
At Halloween time we chose the best pumpkins for carving, and harvested these first. As Thanksgiving approached, we chose the best pumpkins for pies and harvested those next. The more we grew pumpkins, the more pumpkins grew on us.The pumpkin patch became our most treasured Halloween decoration, especially once embellished with a scarecrow and a few strategically-placed red lights. It became our favorite photo shoot location, documenting halloween costumes, pregnancies, and loved ones. The subject of pumpkins became our favorite fall reading and we would borrow whatever books we could find on our most treasured squash and display them, along with those from our own growing collection, in the middle of our living room table.
As the time came to look for a new home, one of my requirements was that there by room in the front yard for a dedicated pumpkin patch, preferably within view of passersby. When (after a 4-year search) we found this home, I immediately designated the corner of the front yard for our new patch. Since we are now in between homes, this is the first year that I am without a pumpkin patch. The kids miss it. I miss it. The squirrels really, really miss it. I can only reflect on the perfection that is the pumpkin patch...and of course plan for the one to come.
This time our pumpkins--notorious for their thirst--will be irrigated with water reclaimed from our clothes washer and showers. This time our pumpkins will have an apple tree border, making it easier to string up netting to keep out--once and for all--those pesky pumpkin-loving squirrels. Yes, I will have to relocate many a rose bush to make room for the pumpkins and, yes, I will have to move many a shrub to improve access for our anticipated visitors, but this is but a small price to pay for all that is reaped from the patch of pumpkinphile.
Peace,
Annie
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