By Nancy Massey
Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over between 5,000 and 7,500 years ago. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for large melon, “pepon.” Pumpkins are high in fiber, low in calories, and packed full of nutrients. Big, small, fat, skinny, smooth, bumpy, blue, white, or orange, carved or not, you name it, I’m a sucker for pumpkins. Here’s where you can buy them this October:
Joe’s Trees
Location: 5110 Comberland Gap Rd, Newport, VA 24128 (Visit their website for directions.)
Every weekend in October
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 6:00p.m.
Joestrees.com, facebook.com/joestrees
540-544-7303
Sinkland Farms
3020 Riner Road, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Every Weekend in October 2016
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
$10 adult admission, $5 admission ages 2-16 years, FREE under 2 years
sinklandfarms.com
540-382-4647
Crow’s Nest Greenhouse
1811 Brooksfield Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
crowsnestgreenhouses.com
540-552-5550
Blacksburg Farmers Market
100 Draper Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Wednesday 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
blacksburgfarmersmarket.com
540-239-8290
Christiansburg Farmers Market
Hickok Street, Christiansburg, VA 20473
May-October
Thursdays 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
christiansburg.org
Tips for keeping a carved pumpkin a few more days:
Add a splash of bleach to a bucket of water and dip your carved pumpkin into the solution to inhibit mold growth. Next, coat the cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil. Finally, keep your pumpkins out of direct sunlight.
Links to some fabulous pumpkin recipes:
19 Healthy Pumpkin Recipies
50 of the Best Savory Pumpkin Recipes
22 Great Pumpkin Recipes
Southern Living’s Best Pumpkin Recipes
Nancy Massey is an Associate Broker at Nest Realty New River Valley. With thirteen moves and ten home purchases under her belt, she can sympathize and empathize with the rigors of buying and selling a home.