From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Mill Bay, British Columbia

From viewing other diaries of growers that are carving for haloween display, I noticed that alot of you carve an opening in the back to get the seeds and guts out rather than cutting the top off like a traditional pumpkin. Is there a reason for this other than making it easier to get your arm in to scoop things out. Doc (Dwaine) I see you did that with Annie 2 - any advice?

10/23/2003 12:19:33 PM

Sequim, WA

The stem end is usually the thickest and hard to cut through. Most pumpkins of size end up resting on that end when carved as they are more stable that way. Cutting through the back (bottom) of fruit is usually the easiest way to make a large opening and still give you plenty of area to work on for your carving.

10/23/2003 12:49:00 PM

Montoursville, PA

When Annie II was laying flat side down in a bed of foam rubber on my trailer a coon desided where the first hole should be. I went into the same hole the next AM and pulled out the seed.

If I were given a choice I would have entered the flat side so that the majority of the nice fruit would be carved or showing.

As it ended up we made two more holes in Annie II. One to install a support strap and one to insert a light at the top. We could have put the lamp in the side hole but that was easily in reach of a childs hand. That is why the third hole on top for the light.

10/23/2003 4:11:28 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks for the tips. Think I will enter the flat side as well as that is the one that will up against the wall anyways. Looks like a good time was had carving Annie II and the end product looks great. Great luck next year!!

10/24/2003 1:18:28 PM