No Halloween is complete without pumpkins. From carving lanterns to creating the perfect autumn display, they’re at the heart of the season. This year, our Estate team has taken that tradition one step further, setting themselves the challenge of planting, growing and harvesting Boughton’s very own pumpkins, ready to play a starring role in our Halloween celebrations.

The First Step...
Back in spring, our team started sowing just short of 1000 seeds with the aim of growing and harvesting our very own crop in time for Halloween at Boughton. These seeds were saved from last years trial crop and planted in pots.
Pumpkins need a long, warm growing season to thrive. The team planted the seeds in rich soil and gave them plenty of warmth, water and sunlight.

Coming Along Nicely...
By the end of June, the young pumpkin plants had been successfully transplanted – a task which took approximately three weeks to complete.
960 plants filled three dedicated growing beds across the Estate, where they had plenty of room to spread as the season progressed.
At this stage, the focus was encouraging healthy growth. With warm weather, regular watering and a little patience, the plants began to develop their sprawling vines and broad leaves, laying the foundations for the pumpkins to form later in the summer.

A Growing Success
In mid July the first pumpkin appeared, and a thriving patch is what followed!
Everywhere the team looked, pumpkins were appearing – in all shapes, sizes and colours, with some already reaching an impressive size.
The team have been growing a variety of pumpkin types: Jack O’Lantern, Goosebump, Polar White and Giant Pumpkin.
Halloween at Boughton
This October, step into a mythical adventure across the Boughton landscape.
Follow an enchanting outdoor trail inspired by Boughton’s rich history and legends, with hands-on games, interactive challenges and immersive storytelling bringing the landscape to life.
And don’t forget to pick your very own Estate-grown pumpkin to take home, carve and display this Halloween.

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