Towards the end of the first year of agriculture the students and I thought it would be interesting to try and grow pumpkins for Halloween celebrations commencing in October. We were kindly provided with pumpkin seeds by Dr Casey Hurley and Ms. Amanda Smith (an ex 6th grade teacher).

We prepared the land with agriculture students plus some students from 10th and 8th grade. Holes were dug, soil mounds made and pumpkin seeds planted and watered.

 

After two weeks pumpkin seedlings were seen developing, and soon after pumpking flowers. Students were watering the flowers and our maintenance team was tasked with watering the pumpkins during the summer vacations.

However, we had not thought about pests and protecting our pumpkins. It became very apparent that local iguanas find the taste of pumpkin flowers delicious, and so ate our crop.

We have learnt a valuable lesson, that pests come in all shapes and sizes! Luckily, we have plenty of pumpkin seeds so we will sow them next year – and protect them!