Garden Organic will be celebrating the arrival of autumn in ghoulish fashion by holding a pumpkin fest at its two gardens.

According to the charity, the pumpkin dates back to Mexico in 5,500 BC, and is a symbol of harvest time all over the world - except in Antarctica.

The days will be held at its Yalding garden on October 27-28, and in Ryton on October 28, and will feature pumpkin carving sessions, growing competitions and kids’ attractions.

Visitors will be able to enjoy pumpkin tasting at the fest, have their pumpkin carved into a grisly jack-o-lantern, and listen to Halloween-themed story-telling or talks on creatures of the night, including bats, owls and creepy crawlies.

The charity is planning a Pumpkin Challenge for the days, where people can enter their pumpkins, squashes and gourds to be judged in novel categories including ugliest, largest, heaviest and, for kids, best-dressed pumpkin.

Garden Organic’s events manager, Graeme Elliot said: “We want to kick off the autumn season in spooky style and show people how easy it is to grow their own pumpkins for next year. There will be loads of things going on to keep the whole family entertained and I’m sure everyone will learn something they didn’t know about the freaky fruit!”

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