A beloved symbol of autumn, Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are plump annuals grown for their fleshy, nutritious fruits. Carved into jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween and cooked into pies for Thanksgiving dessert in the United States and Canada, Pumpkins are easy and fun to grow.

What is Pumpkin?

• Pumpkin is a winter squash in the Cucurbitaceae plant family, alongside melons, spaghetti squash, and cucumbers.
• Although often considered a vegetable, Pumpkin is botanically classified as a fruit, as it grows from a flowering plant and contains seeds.
• Scientists believe that Pumpkins originated in North America about 9000 years ago. Today, they are grown around the world on every continent except Antarctica.
• Pumpkins are usually round and orange, although the size, shape, and color can vary depending on the variety. Over 45 varieties of pumpkins exist, ranging in color from orange, red, and yellow to green.
• They have a thick outer rind that is smooth and ribbed, as well as a stem that connects the Pumpkin to its leafy plant.
• The thick, dense flesh is light orange when ripe and surrounds a large cavity containing stringy pulp and many large, flat, ivory-colored seeds.
• Leaves, flowers, pulp, and seeds are edible.
• Although all Pumpkins are technically edible, some are better for decoration and carving, while others are best for cooking.
• Pumpkins are warm-season crops and can easily be injured by frost.
• Pumpkin plants generally produce extensive vines, so ample space is needed.
• The practice of carving Jack-O'-Lanterns was brought to America by Irish immigrants.

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is an organic method of preventing or protecting plants from pests and diseases, attracting the right types of insects for pollination, enhancing nutrient uptake, and increasing crop production simply by growing specific plants near each other. In essence, companion planting helps bring a balanced ecosystem to your landscape, allowing nature to do its job.

Benefits of Companion Planting

1. Organic Pest control
Some plants can emit scents that either repel insects, attract them, or confuse insects or disease organisms in search of their favorite host plants. They make insects less likely to land on your garden vegetables.

2. Attracts beneficial insects
Some plants help attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, bees, and butterflies, that pollinate and help control harmful bugs. Beneficial insects feed on common garden pests, like aphids and caterpillars.

3. Provides necessary shade
Tall sun-loving plants offer shade to smaller shade-loving plants. This results in better products and can also potentially provide pest control. A good example is The Three Sisters Garden. Practiced by Native Americans thousands of years ago, this garden includes corn, beans, and squash. The tall corn provides shade for the lower squash but also stops the squash vine borer beetle.

4. Shelters plants
Some plants can provide windbreaks and prevent soil erosion. Strong winds can damage gardens by removing mulch, topsoil, and eroding beds and hillsides. Rain can also cause severe damage by beating down young seedlings. By carefully selecting the right ground cover, you can help prevent soil erosion.

5. Provides natural supports
Some companion plants can physically support each other, reducing the need for staking. The example of planting corn, beans, and squash together applies here again. Corn provides tall stalks for the beans to climb so that they are not out-competed by sprawling squash vines.

6. Saves space
Interplanting different crops greatly maximizes space and improves productivity in small gardens.

7. Enhances flavors
Some plants can subtly enhance the flavor of other plants. Most herbs have been found to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables grown nearby, and Basil grown beside tomatoes is an excellent example. Similarly, chamomile has an aromatic scent that is believed to improve the growth and flavor of cabbages, cucumbers, and onions when grown beside them.

8. Better soil quality and fertility
Some crops help fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and reduce fertilizer needs. Similarly, planting plants with different root structures together can aerate the soil and allow plants to pull nutrients from different parts of the soil.

Not only can companion planting helps your plants to grow better, but it also makes the vegetable garden more attractive thanks to the addition of colorful flowers that help or hinder nearby vegetables. Companion planting combines beauty and purpose to create an enjoyable, healthy environment.