Garden tip: Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating

Are you ready for Halloween? Do you have your orange and black decorations up? Orange pumpkins fit right into that color scheme. And pumpkins are good to eat, too, rich in the antioxidants beta-carotene and lutein.
Because of the pandemic, children may not be trick-or-treating this year. Avoiding all the candy may be a good thing. But there are still ways to celebrate, perhaps with a small, physically distant, mask-on party with healthy ­— orange ­— snacks.

Orange-colored fruits and vegetables have many health benefits. Oranges are high in vitamin C and fiber. Apricots and cantaloupe have vitamins A, C and K. Orange sweet bell peppers have vitamins A, C and B6, plus folate. Carrots provide vitamin A and K and biotin. You can cut these up into bite-sized chunks or strips to make them inviting and easy to eat.

No matter how you celebrate, happy Halloween!

— Katie Martin, UC Marin Master Gardener