Last year, we found in our local farmers market, a most unusual grey-blue pumpkin. The young lad who sold it to us very proudly pronounced it to be a Curcubita Pepo, or I have come to learn, a Jarrahdale...which sounded out is Ghiradelli. According to my research, this particular variety hails from Australia. We enjoyed it as a table decoration for quite a while last fall.
And then we put it into the compost pile, which happens to be directly behind our veggie garden. So, while we were not paying a great deal of attention to the garden this year, we would not have been surprised to see more volunteer squash...the last three years have been banner years for butternut squash to grow. Imagine our surprise when we saw a big ole very greenish blue-grey pumpkin growing right in the middle. On closer inspection, we noticed a second growing on the fence, and a third growing in a bush.
Noticing that the squash vine and flowers had made their way up and into the very tall holly trees, it was time for a serious Nancy Drew moment...there are pumpkins growing in the trees, easily 15 to 20 feet up there!! I vacillate between shock, amazment and flat out hilarity. What a wacky thing to be happening in the yard.
Bruce cut 4 of the largest volunteer pumpkins, and we will wait for the others to grow a bit more. This will be the year that we try our first pumpkin pie from scratch. I just love it when mother nature throws us curve-balls in the shape of pumpkins!!
Linking to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday!
Wonderful story about your volunteer pumpkins. I've never seen one growing in a tree. A curve ball for sure and pumpkin pie sounds yummy! Enjoy your week ahead, Susan!
Posted by: Eileen | August 18, 2013 at 04:05 PM
How amazing...and beautiful! I've never seen any this color! You're ready for Fall!!!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | August 18, 2013 at 04:26 PM
What fun to look up and see pumpkins growing in the tree. I've never made pumpkin pie from scratch but I'll bet yours is going to taste yummy.
Posted by: Lavender Cottage | August 18, 2013 at 05:36 PM
How awesome! I eat purple potatoes and purple carrots, but I've never heard of a blue pumpkin! Did the vine grow all the way up the tree?
Posted by: bettyl | August 18, 2013 at 06:23 PM
Hahahahaha, the pictures of the pumpkins in the tree is too perfect. Still shocking that we ended up with volunteer PUMPKIN this year!
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | August 18, 2013 at 07:08 PM
Amaze-balls!
Posted by: georgiapeachez | August 18, 2013 at 07:09 PM
Pumpkins in trees - that's astounding! What a fun thing to find. I like the idea of a blue-tinged pumpkin for my decorating.
Posted by: Lorrie | August 18, 2013 at 07:46 PM
What beautiful and unusual pumpkins, Susan! It must have been so funny to see them growing in vines so high in the trees!
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | August 18, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Oh my goodness that must be quite a sight to see. They are an odd colour as we know it but how do they taste. Hmm. Valerie
Posted by: Valerie | August 19, 2013 at 06:12 AM
Valerie, they are bright orange inside, and according to my research, are supposed to be delicious...can't wait to try one!
Betty, Yes, the vines just took off and grew up there on their own...that is what is so shocking. Well, that and the fact that they grew at all.
<3, Susan
Posted by: Susan Ericson | August 19, 2013 at 06:43 AM
Hi Susan,
Blue pumpkins! I had to look twice, thought it was photo editing or special effects! Well, you learn something every day, I guess. Love the pumpkins all in a row; reminds me of when we were instructed to line up single file in grade school!:) Thanks for sharing!
Poppy
Posted by: Poppy | August 19, 2013 at 01:46 PM