Turn your pampered pumpkins into scary Hallowe'en faces ready to scare off passing ghosties and ghoulies (or just marauding trick-or-treaters) on October 31st.
This is one gardening job all the kids can get stuck into. Choose your biggest, ripest pumpkins (they should sound hollow when you knock them) and cut them away from the plant with about 5cm of stem.
Then using a sharp knife remove a circle out of the top with the stalk attached to make the 'lid' of your Hallowe'en lantern. Scoop out flesh and seeds with a spoon or ice-cream scoop. Seeds can be saved for planting next year, or roasted with a little paprika for a spicy snack. Set aside the flesh for later, when you can cook them up into a range of delicious pies and soup.
Next, draw the face on the outside of the pumpkin with a washable felt-tip pen, using straight lines as they're easiest to cut. If you're feeling ambitious, download special templates (www.halloween.co.uk) for carving everything from bats to Marilyn Monroe!
Finally place a tealight in the bottom of the pumpkin, light it and replace the lid. Then all you have to do is brace yourself for the first cry of 'trick or treat'...
