Garden Tip: Discover pumpkins this fall

• Reprints

The Growing Place in Aurora's pumpkin gourds nursery offers edible and decorative versions of these fall varieties. | Submitted by Heather Prince

Updated: November 25, 2011 2:16PM

The nights are crisp, the colors are beginning to change, and it’s time to enjoy the harvest. At farmers markets and The Growing Place, you can find a large variety of edible pumpkins and gourds.

Pumpkin can be used in soups, breads, pies, cookies, muffins and more. One favorite snack is roasted pumpkin seeds. Simply toss clean, dry seeds in melted butter or olive oil. Spread in a shallow pan and roast at 425 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly toasted, then season.

This year, pumpkins reach new stature at The Growing Place with the arrival of four “monster” pumpkins Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Aurora location. The first 75 families, beginning at 10 a.m., will receive a free gift. Anyone wearing something pumpkin or pumpkin colored will receive another free gift.

Dick’s Donuts will serve fresh warm doughnuts. Other highlights from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. include:

Children can decorate a pumpkin for $10.

Joannie Rocchi will demonstrate festive ways to use pumpkins and gourds for table decorations.

Greg Sliwka, pumpkin grower extraordinaire, will answer questions.

Visitors are encouraged to vote on their favorite, and the winning artist will receive a $200 donation for their favorite charity.

Garden Tip is courtesy of Heather Prince, The Growing Place, 630-355-4000, www.thegrowingplace.com