Do I want a pumpkin, a squash or a gourd?

Pop quiz:

Is a pumpkin a squash?
Is a squash a gourd?

If you answered “no” to both, you are correct!

While all three of these choices belong to the sweeping Cucurbitaceae family, which encompasses over 900 species, there are differences and overlaps. Here are a few useful tidbits to help determine your best Fall décor choices:

Gourds are smallest of the three, but don’t pop any in your mouth! They are meant for crafts and decor. Only the Snake Gourd can be eaten when young and tender. The odd shapes and crooked necks add a warm, rustic look to a table setting, your mantel, or as a delightful bird feeder or water bottle.

Squash are medium sized, and can overlap with gourds for décor uses, but are mainly used for culinary purposes. Did you know they can conveniently last for months as food, when stored properly?

Pumpkins, generally the largest of the three, come in all sizes. They sit flat, unlike gourds and squash, which opens more creative possibilities. Ladle your pudding of choice into a scooped-out mini-pumpkin, for example, to punctuate a charming end to a festive dinner! Pumpkins overlap with squash as food, and gourds for décor.

Need a Fall Seasonal Update but don’t know where to start? Ping me @info@lilacdustcolor.com. You’ll enjoy my Sherwin-Williams PRO+, Wayfair Pro Designer, and Decorator’s Best wallpaper and more Trade Program designer discounts.

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