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Home ยป Life ยป Upstate Adventure

The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

By: Pamela Reed
Posted:10/27/16
Updated:10/26/16

This is the story of what happens when you accidentally track a pumpkin seed into the garden.  We plant pumpkins in the garden but they have specific beds to grow in.   Somehow a pumpkin seed from our compost bin got stuck to someone’s shoe and it got planted right in the middle of the garden, right in the onion bed.  It changed everything.

The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

We noticed the pumpkin plant a few months ago.  We didn’t cut it down because we thought it would just stop growing.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

In a few weeks it grew.  Much bigger.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

And in a few more weeks, it took over the garden.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

It was everywhere. It took over the onions, mingled with the watermelon, snaked around the kale and grew inside the tomato plants.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

There wasn’t much we could do by this time.  The plant was the world’s official (not official) biggest pumpkin plant ever and there were pumpkins starting to grow. I have a big pumpkin loving heart, so what was I supposed to do? Kill the pumpkins? No way. So instead we let the plant grow.  We let the pumpkins grow. We let it take over the garden. We couldn’t use our walkway anymore.  We had to jump from bed to bed.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

The story has a good ending though.  That ending is lots of pumpkins.  No seriously, lots of pumpkins. Not only is this the world’s official (not official) biggest pumpkin plant ever,  but this single (!) plant gave us more than 10 giant pumpkins.  How is this even possible?  How could one plant produce so many pumpkins?  I have no idea, but I’m thankful the Surprise Pumpkin Plant picked our garden to grow in.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

This is me, very very very very happy.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

This weekend we picked the rest of the pumpkins.  They aren’t fully orange yet but they will be soon.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

With so many pumpkins our apartment has turned into Pumpkin Village.   It’s a beautiful place.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

Giant Surprise Pumpkin plant, it’s been fun.   Thanks for the pumpkin smiles you caused this year.
The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

The Surprise Pumpkins That Took Over Our Garden

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  1. Clara Solis says

    May 4, 2019 at 1:13 am

    This is great! I composted my pumpkins and then used my compost to plant some vegetables. Your story explains the results. This was my first vegetable garden since I was a teenager. I’ve a lot to learn. Thanks for your narrative.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      May 5, 2019 at 7:57 pm

      Hahaha Clara! Pumpkins everywhere! ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    November 3, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    Well I’ve always known the two of you had green thumbsโ€ฆmaybe they are orange instead. ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  3. Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says

    October 29, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    These are giant accidental pumpkins ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  4. Betty says

    October 28, 2016 at 12:57 am

    That was a great pumpkin surprise! Your garden is absolutely gorgeous! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  5. cheri says

    October 27, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    What a beautiful story Pamela, I bet your house looks wonderful.

    Reply
  6. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    October 27, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    Your garden is amazing! Those pumpkins are giants!

    Reply
  7. Summer says

    October 27, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    The pumpkins are huge, and makes a lovely pumpkin harvestโ™ฅ

    Reply
  8. Abbe@This is How I Cook says

    October 27, 2016 at 11:24 am

    Love this story and that garden is magnificent! This would make a great children’s story!

    Reply

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