Pay Attention to the Trends & Reap the Rewards!
With all the shapes, textures and colors of pumpkins available, pumpkin enthusiasts are finding it easier than ever to find the right pumpkin for any occasion, whether it be decorating, carving or entertaining.
Fall arrives and the hunt begins — pumpkin hunting that is. Consumers have to find the perfect pumpkin, one small enough for a party favor, warty enough for a cornucopia arrangement or large enough for a wide-toothed grin. Whatever the situation, whatever the occasion, Sakata has a pumpkin variety that fits right in with whatever their imagination can dream up.
Pay Attention to Popular and Emerging Trends!
Carved, Etched, Bejeweled and Decked-Out Masterpieces
Carved jack-o’-lantern designs have evolved in recent years, maturing from simple faces to intricate patterns and Halloween scenes thanks to new tools like drills, jigsaws and Dremels. Sakata’s 18-22 lb. Diablo is a first-rate carving pumpkin or try Honky Tonk for a unique, wrinkled look. Both varieties have plenty of room for carved designs. In addition, etched pumpkins are a hot trend right now and a great alternative to carving. They last a long time, especially when left uncarved.
For those who aren’t into pumpkin seeds and guts, uncarved pumpkins have become the canvas for everything from paint, glue and glitter to buttons, beads, faux jewels and flowers. Stencils are commonly used to add painted messages, monograms and intriguing designs. When painting pumpkins, smoother-skinned varieties work better than deeply ribbed ones. They handle stencils better and designs stand out more. A smaller pumpkin like Rockafellow works well for painting and stenciling with its smooth skin and uniform size. Jack Sprat is also great for etching and the perfect size for interior decorating.
Mixing it Up with Smaller Pumpkins for Indoor Decorations
When hollowed out, smaller pumpkins makes a excellent vase for fresh or dried arrangements. For entertaining, foodies can use them to hold dips and chips or as a fun ice bucket for drinks. Jack Sprat is the perfect size for living vases and bowls.
A mixture of smaller pumpkins, gourds, dried twigs and fall leaves draws attention when artfully arranged in unique containers like wooden bowls, lanterns and hurricane lamps. Kandy Korn Plus is a small, one-pound pumpkin that has lots of eye appeal when added to these types of arrangements. Toad, a new variety with a bumpy, warty appearance, also adds texture and a unique character to indoor arrangements. Its name says it all!
White pumpkins are striking when mixed with grapevines, dried twigs and berries. They can also be dressed up with cloves and anise for a decorating style reminiscent of Colonial Williamsburg. The White Flat Boer Ford pumpkin has a beautiful white color and is a great for stacking.
Making a Statement Outdoors with Larger Pumpkins
Stacking pumpkins is one of the more recent trends for outdoor landscaping. For a welcoming entranceway, consumers place stacked pumpkins in decorative urns on either side of a doorway. Using different colored pumpkins in tan, white and green adds interest.
Outdoor decorating trends have moved towards using a variety of pumpkins with different sizes, shapes, textures and colors. Stack them in a wheelbarrow, washtub or planter and add in twigs, gourds, dried leaves and berries for an attractive fall display.
Bigger and bolder is often better in the landscape because it makes a statement. Captain Jack certainly stands out with its extra-large size. It is an excellent pumpkin for a focal piece, especially when grouped with mums and surrounded with smaller pumpkins. Captain Jack is fantastic in flowerbeds along with mums, pansies and a variety of smaller pumpkins and gourds for a dazzling fall display.
Did You Know?
- The Irish brought the tradition of pumpkin carving to America.
- Pumpkins are fruits, not vegetables.
- David Finkle (UK) holds the world record for carving the most pumpkins in one hour — 102 to be exact.
Popular Varieties for Carving and Decorating
Jack Sprat is an exciting pie-class addition to the Sakata line up with a uniform size and shape. It weighs three pounds, has a dark orange exterior and dark green embedded handles.
Diablo is a large, blocky round pumpkin that is ideal for the jack-o’-lantern market. This pumpkin has medium ribs, a beautiful dark orange color and a strong, dark green embedded handle.
Honky Tonk is a 40-count market/jack-o’-lantern-sized fruit weighing 20 to 25 pounds. It has a deeply ribbed, wrinkled appearance with a burnt orange color and a dark green embedded handle.
Kandy Korn Plus has great eye appeal with dark green handles set on deep orange miniature fruit.
Captain Jack is an extra-large, dark-orange jack-o’-lantern type pumpkin. It has thick flesh and a flat bottom, which enables the fruit to stand on its own. A thick embedded handle matches the size of this pumpkin for easy handling.
White Flat Boer offers a unique color and shape for specialty markets and can be used as an ornamental decoration for Halloween and Fall.