FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fall is pumpkin season, and a hands-on workshop in Fairhope next month will show South Alabama gardeners, home cooks and backyard chicken keepers how to get the most out of the season’s signature squash — from the garden to the kitchen to the chicken coop.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will host a Pumpkins & Poultry Workshop on Friday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, 8300 Highway 104 in Fairhope. Registration is $10 per person.
Workshop at a glance
- What: Pumpkins & Poultry Workshop, presented by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
- When: Friday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to noon
- Where: Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, 8300 Highway 104, Fairhope
- Cost: $10 per person
- Who should attend: Home gardeners, backyard poultry enthusiasts, home cooks and anyone who loves pumpkins
From garden to kitchen to coop
The hands-on workshop will explore the many uses of pumpkins, from cultivating them in the garden to preparing seasonal recipes and incorporating pumpkins into backyard poultry nutrition.
Participants will learn best practices for growing pumpkins and will watch cooking demonstrations featuring recipes including creamy pumpkin soup and cinnamon rolls. The workshop will also cover how pumpkins can be safely used as a supplemental treat for chickens.
Organizers say the program is designed for anyone looking to make the most of the fall harvest season, whether they grow their own pumpkins, enjoy cooking with them or maintain a backyard flock.
Growing pumpkins on the Gulf Coast
Growing pumpkins in coastal Alabama comes with its own set of challenges. The region’s long, hot and humid summers are great for vigorous vines, but they also bring heavy insect pressure and plant diseases that thrive in warm, wet weather. Timing matters, too: gardeners hoping to harvest pumpkins for fall decorating and Halloween generally need to plant in early to mid-summer, since most varieties need several months to mature.
Pumpkins are heavy feeders that need plenty of room to sprawl, full sun, well-drained soil and consistent moisture. Common problems gardeners run into include squash bugs, vine borers and powdery mildew, which can weaken vines before the fruit ripens. Learning how to choose suitable varieties, prepare soil, space plants and manage pests is the kind of practical, research-based guidance Extension programs are known for, and it can make the difference between a disappointing patch and a successful harvest.
Cooking with pumpkin
Many people think of pumpkins as decorations, but they are also a versatile and nutritious food. Pumpkin flesh is rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, and it provides fiber along with other vitamins and minerals. Smaller “pie” or “sugar” pumpkins are generally preferred for cooking because they tend to have sweeter, less stringy flesh than large carving pumpkins.
The workshop’s cooking demonstrations will show how pumpkin can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, with creamy pumpkin soup and cinnamon rolls on the menu. Pumpkin seeds can also be roasted for a crunchy snack, making it possible to use nearly the whole pumpkin.
A treat for backyard chickens
Backyard poultry has grown in popularity across South Alabama, and many flock owners look for ways to use garden extras and kitchen scraps as treats. Pumpkins are a favorite with chickens, which often enjoy pecking at the flesh and seeds.
However, treats need to be offered thoughtfully. Poultry experts generally advise that treats should make up only a small part of a flock’s diet, with a complete commercial feed providing the balanced nutrition chickens need for health and egg production. Flock owners should also avoid feeding moldy or rotting produce. The workshop will cover how pumpkins can be safely used as a supplemental treat, making it a timely session for anyone wondering what to do with leftover pumpkins after fall festivities end.
About the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center
The Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center on Highway 104 in Fairhope is part of Alabama’s agricultural research network. The center conducts research on crops and horticulture suited to the Gulf Coast’s unique climate and hosts educational programs for farmers, gardeners and the public.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the primary outreach organization for the land-grant mission of Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. Through county offices and regional agents, Extension provides research-based education on topics including gardening, agriculture, food safety, nutrition, family life, 4-H youth development and community resources.
How to register
Registration for the Pumpkins & Poultry Workshop is $10 per person. Those interested in attending can contact the Baldwin County Extension office or visit the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s website for registration details. Because the workshop includes hands-on activities and demonstrations, early registration is encouraged.
Whether you are planning next year’s pumpkin patch, looking for new fall recipes or wondering how to share the harvest with your hens, the Oct. 9 workshop in Fairhope offers a practical and festive way to celebrate the season.