So many pumpkins.

Pumpkins are grown in all fifty states, but according to the US Department of Agriculture, the majority - over a billion pounds per year - are grown in just six. Illinois is the leader (by far) when it comes to pumpkin production, followed by Texas, California, Indiana, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF
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Not all pumpkins are the same.

I've often wondered if I can use the "guts" of my pumpkin to make pumpkin pie. You could, but you might be disappointed. The USDA points out the differences between a pie pumpkin and a carving pumpkin,

Pie pumpkins are generally smaller, denser, and sweeter than decorative pumpkins. Decorative pumpkins come in many varieties, although the orange Howden used for carving is the most common.

US growers mainly produce jack-o-lantern varieties in classic orange, but data indicates demand is rising for specialty pumpkins as consumers search for something different.

Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
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When to carve your pumpkin.

It's understandable when kids get excited about carving pumpkins. It's a fun family activity that really kicks off the Halloween season. But carving them too soon in October means they'll probably be rotten by October 31. Country Living provides some tips on making your pumpkins last longer, including spraying your carvings with a diluted bleach solution and/or smearing the inside of the gourd with petroleum jelly. It's generally ok to carve pumpkins a week before Halloween.

Photo by Beth Teutschmann on Unsplash
Photo by Beth Teutschmann on Unsplash
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Mild or wild, let's see your pumpkins.

Show us your pumpkin(s) for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Gainan's Flowers, valid at Midtown and Heights locations. You can submit a picture on the Mix Mobile App (get it on the link below), you can submit photos on our Facebook or Instagram pages, or you can email them to Michael.Foth@TownsquareMedia.com. All entries have an equal chance of winning and the winner will be selected at random on Monday, October 31.

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Get to Gainan's for holiday decor.

Gainan's is such a fun place to shop. Their staff is so friendly and you always find unique things. Mark your calendars for upcoming holiday events:

  • 11/5 and 11/6 – “Enchanted Dream” Opening at Gainan’s Midtown Flowers
  •  11/11 to 11/13 Christmas Poinsettia Plant & Gift Show at Gainan’s Heights Flowers, Garden & Patio
  •  11/19 Waterford Crystal Signing Event by Master Artisan Tom Brennan Live at Gainan’s Midtown Flowers 11-2

LOOK: How Halloween has changed in the past 100 years

Stacker compiled a list of ways that Halloween has changed over the last 100 years, from how we celebrate it on the day to the costumes we wear trick-or-treating. We’ve included events, inventions, and trends that changed the ways that Halloween was celebrated over time. Many of these traditions were phased out over time. But just like fake blood in a carpet, every bit of Halloween’s history left an impression we can see traces of today.

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