Since it’s October, there’s now an influx of pumpkin patch photos creeping up on my Instagram feed. I don’t mind them, but I definitely don’t love them. It’s pumpkin overload! And too much orange for my liking.

I thought I’d share a few interesting facts about pumpkins to get in the fall spirit.

• Did you know that pumpkins are part of the gourd family? Other members of the gourd family are cucumbers, honeydew melons, watermelons, and zucchini.
• Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years.
• In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
• Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year. (Source)

This is a sweet pumpkin bowl. How great would it look filled up with candy? Yes, please! Or you could fill it with punch or soup. Classic!

pumpkin punch bowl