Page 50 - October 2023

INTERIORS INSIDER
How to have a
sustainable Halloween Sand of course, Halloween décor. year for a bumper crop next autumn, and
pooky season is upon us and with it
brings cosy nights, creative costumes,
look forward to carving your very own
home-grown pumpkin next year!
Frighteningly good Halloween interiors
always start with pumpkins, whether Feed wildlife
with Dobbies they’re stacked by your front door or carved Marcus says that another great use for
into a funky design on your windowsill.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, pumpkins after Halloween is as food for
wildlife. Once you’re finished with your
is encouraging us to think sustainably pumpkin, cut it up into pieces and leave it
this autumn and recycle our pumpkins out in your garden as a snack for wildlife.
after we’re finished with them instead of Pumpkin flesh and pulp is a great food
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles throwing them away. source for squirrels, and pumpkins seeds
suggests you repurpose your pumpkins after are great for birds and small animals. After
Halloween celebrations are over. Compost cutting up your pumpkin, collect the seeds
Marcus says that instead of discarding your and set them aside to dry before leaving
pumpkins after Halloween, you should them outside.
consider composting them. Marcus notes
that pumpkins are great for your compost If you want to get the classic Halloween
pile as they break down into organic matter look and invest in décor that can be
easily and quickly, but you should make brought out year after year, Dobbies has
sure you remove any seeds to prevent a fantastic selection of ceramic pumpkins,
pumpkin plants growing in your compost. from £14.99, that will last for years to come.
Style these either indoors or out to create a
To reduce wastage, Marcus says there are frighteningly cool seasonal display that will
plenty of ways you can utilise pumpkin get you in the spooky spirit.
seeds too, so you don’t need to throw away
any part of your pumpkin. For more sustainable gardening tips and
inspiration, visit dobbies.com.
Grow Your Own
To ensure a truly sustainable Halloween,
Marcus suggests using this year’s pumpkin
seeds to grow next year’s crop. To do this,
first plant the pumpkin seeds in small pots
using a good quality peat-free compost
and place somewhere warm inside or in
a greenhouse until shoots appear. Once
your pumpkins have sprouted beginner
leaves, you can transplant them outside
to a sunny spot and watch them grow.
Marcus says that pumpkin flowers are
a great source of nectar and pollen for
bees, so they’re a welcome addition to
your garden for pollinators in spring and
summer. Marcus advises keeping your
pumpkins well-watered throughout the

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