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Pumpkins: Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns
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Pumpkins for ornamental use should be planted in mid- to late summer depending on the time needed for the variety selected. Maturity of pumpkins varies from 70 to 120 days, depending on growing conditions. Most varieties of pumpkins should be planted by early July to ripen in time for Halloween.
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The carving of jack-o'-lanterns originated from the tradition of carving the faces of lost souls into hollowed out pumpkins and turnips. A candle was placed inside the carvings making the faces glow. The Halloween lanterns were placed on doorsteps to ward off evil spirits.
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Today, people still like to carve faces into pumpkins and put candles inside. These carved pumpkins are called jack o’ lanterns. Pies and soups made from pumpkins are popular around Halloween, and some people bake the seeds from the pumpkin and eat them.
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Once home and carved with nature-inspired designs into jack-o'-lantern sculptures, the pumpkins communicate a new message of the season. Light, varying in intensity, and in some cases color, emanates from cutouts depicting other symbols of fall — oak and maple leaves, acorns, and not-so-scary spiders — to delight the eye.
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-- Once pumpkins are carved, the process of decay will become more rapid. To help insure that a Jack-o-Lantern lasts through Halloween, don't carve it until a few days before the event.
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Renee Mulvey, the department's spokeswoman, said officials decided that pumpkins are used primarily for Halloween decorations, not food, and should be taxed. Previously, they had been considered an edible squash and exempted from the tax.
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Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns