Last of the Pumpkins

We pulled the last of the pumpkins and winter squash off the garden on Monday of this week.

First we tried to liven up the ducks a little. Since we put them in the garden area on Saturday they have been huddling along the fence on the east side of the garden, mostly hiding under the elderberries, gazing longingly at the geese in the old orchard.

So we sent Evie stealthily along the fence line to chase them out from among the elderberries…

Then Ellie charged in like a lion, as she does.

But the ducks showed absolutely no interest in eating any of the delicious slugs or worms we have provided for them. Silly ducks.

Oh well. Time to get our work done. Monday is a busy day because we have to get Evie to violin. Seppi concentrated on moving the pumpkins to a central location while the two older girls shuttled them to the car. Even partly green pumpkins are useful (last year we made mock apple pie from the Little House Cookbook).

We set them on the “sewing table” to let them cure in a slightly non-humid and warm environment. After a few weeks we will move them to the basement for long term storage.