It’s that time of year when you head to the pumpkin patch with your family in hopes of finding the perfect orange gourds to carve faces into.
While Jack-‘o-Lanterns are a doorstep staple, if you’re looking for an alternative, consider carving pumpkins into planters for fall flowers instead (heck, we think they’d make super cool big wedding bouquets for fall, too). It’s a quick and easy craft that makes for great decorations come Halloween and beyond.
The first step to making a pumpkin planter is creating room for the nursery pot. You can use any size pumpkin, just make sure that the diameter the nursery pot will fit comfortably inside. Trace the bottom of the pot on the top of the pumpkin with a marker – this will help you cut an even shape – then, using a large serrated knife, carefully cut into the gourd, following the line you drew.
Next, remove the top and scoop out all of the innards as you would when carving a Jack-‘o-Lantern, putting them aside to make pumpkin pie and toasted seeds later. Turn your pumpkin upside-down and cut out a drainage hole at the bottom. Finally, fill the belly of the pumpkin planter with your favorite fall flowers, or experiment with different varieties to create a festive garden.
Not sure what to plant? Keep scrolling for inspiration.
