Gardening with George Irvine: Pumpkins and apples in focus

As the days grow shorter, gardeners will still be looking for plenty of things to do – though there is not a lot to take up our time outdoors, since even if it’s not raining, it will be quite cold.

This week, though, with Halloween very much in everyone’s minds, I’m going to take a look at pumpkins and apples.

The pumpkin is actually a vegetable, not a fruit (Image: Aaron Burden/Unsplash.com) Let’s look first at the pumpkin. First, what is a pumpkin? Is it a fruit or a vegetable?

Well, it belongs to a family of plants which includes the cucumber, squash and courgette and so is considered technically by botanists to be a vegetable. They can have leaves, but no berries.

Another, rather less scientific, argument is that pumpkins these days are used to make lanterns for Halloween, when – in Scotland at least – another vegetable, the turnip, was once used for the purpose.

If you’re not using one to make a lantern for Halloween, though, both the pumpkin and the turnip are not just edible but nutritious, and contain much that is nutritious for adults and children.

Next, apples. Halloween wouldn't be nearly so special without apples – specifically dooking for them. Some use a fork and try to spear an apple from the back of a chair. Others put their face in a basin of water and try to catch an apple in their mouth. Fun for all the family.

There are far more varieties of apple out there than we ever see on greengrocers' or supermarkets' shelves. As anyone who’s ever looked at a greengrocer’s shelves, or the fruit and veg aisles in the supermarket, will know, there are many varieties of apple – in fact, there are far more than we see for sale in most shops. They’re grown in many countries around the world, commercially and in people’s own gardens. Some varieties are for cooking, others are great to eat as they are, but all are full of both vitamins and fibre.

They’re great for dooking because they’re lighter than water and thus tend to float.

Some cooking varieties, such as crab apples, are very useful for making jams, jellies and other preserves. Others are great in crumbles and tarts, on their own or combined with other fruits.

Many gardeners who have apple trees in their own garden will ask: when do you know when an apple is ready to harvest? The answer is quite simple: take the apple in the palm of your hand, raise it up a little, and give it a twist. If the apple is ripe, it will come off easily; if not, leave it for another week and try again.

Give the apple a twist on the tree - if it comes away easily it's ripe and ready to harvest. (Image: Vitolda Klein/Unsplash.com) Often apples will fall from the tree on their own. If they do, it is best to lift them, because if you leave them lying on the ground they may attract animals and even vermin.

Apple trees take a long time to grow, and do so in many different sizes. They’re best given a winter wash to kill off the many bugs and grubs which can affect the tree. Some are termed ‘family trees’ and can yield several different varieties, though these have to be created artificially.

Garden Talk on Guy Fawkes Night

Gourock Horticultural Society hold their next fortnightly talk at Cardwell Garden Centre on Tuesday, November 5, when members will enjoy an illustrated talk featuring the entries which were submitted during Cardwell’s online competition in the summer.

The pictures will be accompanied with a narrative of all the pictures from various parts of the country. There will be plenty of interest, and readers wishing to attend are welcome to come along and bring a friend with them.

Winter Sowing

Over the winter months gardeners can get to work on preparing their seeds for the new growing season in 2025.

First of all, we can get busy browsing through seed catalogues during the dull days of winter and select and order the items we want to grow.

The next step is to make sure you order your feed-free compost. My advice is that when they arrive you should store these in a greenhouse, keeping the bags up off the ground.

(Image: Alamy/PA) All the compost used should be peat-free and any plants growing in containers should be raised from the round using proprietary pot feet or even a few bricks if you do not have the proper pot feet.

Seeds should be fresh if possible; certainly do not use old seed that you have had lying around for several years. Seeds should be kept in a warm dry place until you are ready to use them.

Trays for seed-sowing need to be washed and cleaned before using and all must be kept in that state until you are ready to use them. Cell trays containing different sizes of cells can be obtained and be kept in readiness.

Always avoid placing your seeds and other items out in a dirty place, and keep your pots and trays clean at all times. Watch weather forecasts, and cover young plants with horticultural fleece or several layers of newspaper.

I would also advocate investing in a maximum/minimum thermometer. A cold frame is useful, too, to give additional protection.

Seed growing is relatively straightforward - but it's also easy to get wrong. (Image: Christian Joudrey/Unsplash.com) Always read the instructions on the seed packets before you begin sowing seeds. Read the instructions several times. Sweet peas can be sown at the beginning of the year or left until spring

Early sown sweet pea seeds can often be eaten by mice, squirrels or other pests. Try not to get caught out!

Next week further information will be given on other features of seed sowing and hints and tips to assist in getting the best out of your efforts. Don’t get left behind.

Garden birds need our help

Winter is a crucial time to ensure gardens are full of food, water and shelter for birds. However, bird-friendly gardening isn’t just for Christmas, and there are many benefits for planning a season-by-season feast for our feathered friends.

Bird-friendly gardening isn't just for Christmas. (Image: Mark Timberlake/Unsplash.com) If you place a dish with water out for the birds, do make sure you keep the water clean and change it frequently - and do not let it freeze over when the weather is at its coldest. The same applies to any water you might use as a bird bath.

Wild bird seed can be kept in a container, and check your feeder regularly to ensure it is topped up.

Christmas at Cardwell

There’s plenty for gardeners and non-gardeners to enjoy at Cardwell Garden Centre’s open night on Thursday, November 7 from 5-9pm.

There’s full restaurant service until 7.30pm, drinks and snacks until 8.30pm, along with mulled wine, mince pies and seasonal food tasting.

Cardwell Garden Centre's Christmas season kicks off on November 7. (Image: Cardwell Garden Centre) Santa will be in his grotto, with face painting, live music, carols from the Ardgowan Singers and the Salvation Army Band providing the music – and the centre’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm.

There’s plenty more to enjoy at Cardwell in the run up to Christmas so do come along and join in the festive fun.