What do you get when you mix and match two of our fall favorites? A mumkin! Yeah, we spelled that right. Mumkins are super fun and inexpensive gardening DIY projects to do at home with the kids or even with a group of friends over a glass of wine and now is the perfect time to make your own so that you can decorate with yours over both Halloween and Thanksgiving. It's easy! Give it a try.
Build your own mumkin
What you'll need:
pumpkin (medium to large)
mum (select according to the size of pumpkin you've picked)
pansies or violas (optional floral addition)
potting soil
knife or pumpkin carving kit
white vinegar
Directions:
Visit GSCO or your local garden supply store to pick up your pumpkin, mum and potting soil.
When you arrive home, find a space outdoors you don't mind getting messy and submerge your entire (uncut) pumpkin in white vinegar to preserve it.
Cut a ring around the stem of your pumpkin about the size of the circumference of your mum's plastic pot.
Remove the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds from the inside. (We suggest saving the seeds for a garden to table snack later!)
If you're going to leave your pumpkin outdoors, you may want to poke small holes with a skewer at the base of the pumpkin to help with drainage. If you're bringing yours indoors for a tablescape, you may want to skip this step so that you don't have to worry about leaks.
Fill pumpkin with potting soil leaving enough room for the roots of your mum.
Remove the mum from the container and break up the rootball with your hands gently.
Plant mum (and pansies or violas) in your pumpkin container.
Water lightly and place in an area that receives partial to full sun.
Enjoy!