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Spent some time at one of my favorite places in th Spent some time at one of my favorite places in the world earlier this week, with some of my favorite people, and it was so dang good for the soul 🌸 more flowering tree and shrub content comin at you this week just because! Also...⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
🌿 Mini Gifting 🌿⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
A little thank you for supporting me!! I’m gifting a personally curated gardening package to one winner, all you have to do is follow me @christinemcovino and my other account @christineandcoliving, then head to my stories for the rest of the entry instructions 🥳
Happy national gardening day 🌱🌸 may you have Happy national gardening day 🌱🌸 may you have a bountiful crop this year, whatever you grow! ((Peony tip: feed early-emerging shoots with a high phosphorus fertilizer for strong, lush blooms!)). Find more gardening tips on the blog, link is in my bio 🌿
Liam ♡ In an alternate universe we would be cele Liam ♡ In an alternate universe we would be celebrating your first birthday. You should be crawling around, playing, laughing and eating too much cake today.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
You should be here.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
My sweet boy I miss you more than words, I ache to hold you. We walked the orchard and planted flower seeds in your memory. We got winks from you in the form of the earth waking up, all the yellow blooms, including your magnolia which couldn’t have had better timing. It’s comforting to see you say hi.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
And still, you should be here.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
He was here for a time. He existed. He mattered. He deserves to be celebrated.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I loved him from the second I saw the +test. I fell deeper in love every time I saw his energetic body bounce around on the ultrasound screen, I have all the blissful bump photos and I have the memory of his sweet little kicks. God I miss those kicks.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
My love did not end when he died.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Liam’s ashes, a few scan photos, my memory and an index card with his footprints are all that remains. I both hate that this is all I have left and am eternally grateful that I have them at all.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I found some comfort today but these anniversaries are also hard. I relive the trauma. The terror, shock, fear, disbelief, agony of being told your baby is dying. So deep and so crushing. Part of me died in that moment, part of me will never be the same again.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
There is nothing in this world more painful than living without your baby. You feel the heaviness, the absence, the longing for them constantly. The grief is always there, it ebbs and flows but it changes you to your core. You adapt to feeling the constant emptiness, your aching heart, your soft but heavy eyes, the shortness of your breath, that lump in your throat.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
And yet, I feel immensely fortunate to have carried you for every moment of your life. I will never regret the time we spent together, loving you, carrying you, feeling you, celebrating you and envisioning the life you would have had. I will carry the insatiable longing to hold you until the day I die. You will always be my baby. You will always be missed. I will never stop loving and mothering you, my sweet Liam James ❤️
How did we do with the bow!? It’s growing on me How did we do with the bow!? It’s growing on me I think 🥰😍
April 3, 2021 • just us this Easter weekend 💗 April 3, 2021 • just us this Easter weekend 💗
I’m not quite sure how she turned 5 months in th I’m not quite sure how she turned 5 months in the blink of an eye 🥺 My Elora. We are doing great ❤️ we’re nursing and bedsharing and babywearing and contact napping and I’m literally soaking in every moment with her. Months 4 and 5 have been the best yet. My body knows what to do and I follow her cues. We’re super in tune and I feel like it’s making both of us happier humans.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
There is this unspoken narrative in our society that somehow attachment between mom and baby is a weakness, a crutch. I say f that, it’s one of the most beautiful strengths that exists in this universe. Period.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Mama if you’re reading this and need some validation or reassurance, I got you. It’s ok to cuddle and rock and nurse and sing your baby to sleep. Follow your instincts, tune out the noise, feel empowered in your motherly intuition and find your confidence in that. It is so incredibly liberating.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I know it’s a confusing landscape out there for new moms, I hear you, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stress that you’re not doing something “right” or that your baby is “broken.” I’m not saying motherhood is easy for me, it’s the hardest (and best) thing I’ve ever done, but when women have the support they actually need and feel empowered in motherhood, that’s next-level world-changing stuff.⁣⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Mama knows best, never forget it ❤️
Pregnancy after loss (PAL). Wrapping up this month Pregnancy after loss (PAL). Wrapping up this month of #pregnancyafterloss awareness by answering my two most asked questions ——⁣⁣⠀
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How did I know I was ready to try again and how did I survive my PAL?⁣⁣⠀
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Well friend, I have no definitive answer for you. I don’t know how I knew I was “ready,” I just knew I desperately wanted to be pregnant again, and I do not know how I survived.⁣⁣⠀
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Contrary to what I thought prior to having my own PAL experience, I was not “better” or “healed” or “over” my baby’s death once pregnant again. I think the only thing I could do was lean into the conflicting feelings and accept that they coexist for me (grief and joy, for example).⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I want to share with you the two thoughts that did help ——⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
1. We were not replacing our baby (Liam), we were adding a sibling. Luca would be a big brother, as would Liam. My heart would expand for another child, not an “instead” child. Truly believing and accepting this was very helpful to me in my moments of guilt.⁣⁣⠀
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2. This was the most profound realization for me: That I would love this baby whether she lived or died. How did I know this? Because the grief I feel for Liam is love. I love my babies from the moment I know they exist. So during my PAL I thought, if this baby died too it wouldn’t change that love. I embraced and accepted that. I think it’s actually what allowed me to take these maternity pictures two weeks before she was born. It wasn’t hope, it was that I loved her and would want to remember our time together either way.⁣⁣⠀
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So maybe that is how I was able to survive. One day at a time, one thought at a time, facing the hard truths, embracing the pain of loss. Because, I’ll be honest, hope was hard for me.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Do I have magical advice? No. PAL was hard, it was a shitstorm of emotions and I feel like I just held on for dear life. Do whatever you have to do to survive, just know you are not crazy for the feelings. You are human 🤍

More resources can be found in my PAL highlights, reels and on my blog (link in bio) under ‘baby loss.’
This sweet babe is growing so fast!⁣⁣⠀
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Our beautiful @shoplovedua bassinet has been one of our most used baby items this time around! Functional and timeless, it is an item that grows with your babe, AND it’s discounted 25% today — head over to their page to shop 🥳⁣⁣⠀
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📷: @mymotherhoodstory
Growing through it 🌿 I was thinking back and re Growing through it 🌿 I was thinking back and reflecting on the past 365 days this morning. It’s been a rollercoaster to say the least.⁣⁣⠀
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Early March 2020 I found out I was pregnant again after back to back losses. I was hopeful and relieved but also doubtful, disconnected and terrified. I spoke in “ifs” not “whens.” I felt guilt and resentment and anger but also was so incredibly grateful.⁣⁣⠀
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We were quickly approaching Liam’s edd in April, a time that I deeply dreaded, and not even one week later went into full lock down pandemic mode.⁣⁣⠀
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I was a total wreck. Things felt veryyy out of control and uncertain.⁣⁣⠀
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I did the only thing I could do, I focused on what I could control. I continued therapy, started using tools like essential oils to help me stay grounded + present and threw myself full force into gardening.⁣⁣⠀
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I quite literally and physically GREW through my anxiety, pain and grief last year. My garden kept me grounded and sane and helped me feel connected to my body and my heart, out in the garden was one of the only places I felt safe letting my mind wander and imagine a living baby in my arms.⁣⁣⠀
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Growing veggies and flowers for my family was within my control and was exactly what I needed in this situation of heavy uncertainty — uncertainty both within myself and in the world.⁣⁣⠀
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March 2020 and March 2021 Christines are very different, I’ve realized the journey isn’t TO healing, healing IS the journey, it’s doesn’t ever end. I’m proud of where I’m at and humbled to think about where I’ve come from 💗
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Christine Covino

- The Blog -

Pumpkin Tips and Tricks

October 13, 2018 / Gardening

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

 

Ok, FINALLY I think we will have some actual fall weather this weekend! It’s hard to think pumpkins and sweaters when we’ve been having temps in the 70s for the last few weeks. Not that I’m complaining! I LOVE the summer and would take warm weather any day. Pumpkins, however, are not huge fans of the high temps and humidity! So, today I am sharing with you some pumpkin tips and tricks to help your pumpkin last longer!

 

Which brings me to my first pumpkin tips and tricks – wait until the weather cools down to purchase!

 

After running the farm (and our seasonal pumpkin patch) for the last 8 years I’ve learned a thing or two about how to maintain these giant orange squash relatives. Read below for all my pumpkin tips and tricks!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

How early can I buy pumpkins?

 

I would wait as long as possible. Sorry! I know that’s not what you want to hear! But I usually wait until October or even mid-October. Basically, you are safe once the weather has officially cooled down. Temps in the 40s-50s would be ideal for making pumpkins last! At the farm, we throw out tons of pumpkins in September because its still too hot for them (but we bring them in because the people want them!).

How do I pick the best pumpkin?

 

  • Look for a hard, sturdy stem, and the greener the fresher
  • No soft spots/scabs/wounds
  • A nice, deep orange color, even patches of green are good because that means its less ripe. Pale yellow is not a good sign on an orange pumpkin!
  • Odd shapes are the best! And bumps/warts add character, they’re not flaws!

Speaking of stems… DO NOT carry your pumpkin by the stem! They can be super heavy and the stem was not made to support all that weight! Carry your pumpkin from the bottom.

How can I lengthen the life of my pumpkins?

 

Keep them outside (in cool temps) as long as possible and wait until the last minute to carve them. Also, try not to keep them in the house. The heat and dryness inside houses are instant pumpkin-killers! And that is also why I say buy them once the weather has cooled down – the heat will make pumpkins rot super quick for sure.

How can I lengthen the life once I carve my pumpkin?

 

Pumpkins are vegetables and vegetables rot in the right conditions, especially once their insides are scraped out (sorry). Here’s a way to preserve the life once you’ve carved it, but please note this will still only help it last a few extra days so carve as close to Halloween as possible!

  1. After your pumpkin has been carved, rinse it out with water to get rid of excess strings and gunk.
  2. Take a large bucket and fill it with three gallons of water.
  3. Stir three teaspoons of bleach into the water bucket.
  4. Dunk the pumpkin. Be sure to hold it down as it will try to float. The entire pumpkin should sit in the solution for two minutes. I recommend wearing gloves for this part!
  5. Remove from the solution and let the pumpkin air dry.

How can I keep squirrels/deer/raccoon from eating my pumpkins?

 

UGH!! My pumpkins have been getting eaten these last few days and it is so frustrating! The last thing you want to do is spend money on your beautiful pumpkins only to have your beautiful porch display turned into a rodent buffet. Here are some things that may work, keep in mind you will have to re-apply after every rain or every few days regardless!

  • Rub or spray hot sauce on them,
  • Spread dog hair or human hair around them
  • Surround the pumpkins with white vinegar
  • Concoct an essential oil spray out of lavender, peppermint, thieves and/or eucalyptus. All these oils are known to repel deer and rodents.
  • Consult your local garden center and purchase a repellent spray

What about rain?

 

If at all possible bring them in or under an overhang when rain threatens. They do NOT like to be wet for long periods of time, they WILL rot! If you cannot bring them in, tend to them after the rain by dumping any pooled water around the stems and turning them over to air out their bottoms (LOL, couldn’t think of another way to say that!). Just don’t let them sit out in the rain/wetness for long, move them around or inside if possible!

Best pumpkin for eating?

 

By far my favorite is Fairytale! These babies are super dense and sweet. The meaty shell/minimal seeds makes it the perfect type for baking and cooking! Other favorites are hubbard squash and sugar pumpkins. You can still eat traditional carving pumpkins but I prefer these others instead!

Can I keep the seeds after I carve my pumpkin?

 

Yes! Simply rinse them of all excess strings and gunk and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then lay them out to cure (make sure they are spaced out/not touching). Once they are fully dried ( about a week or so) you can store them in an envelope for planting next year or enjoy them as a snack!

 

There you have it! My pumpkin tips and tricks! Which was your favorite? Be sure to check out all our awesome pumpkin pictures below! Want more tips and tricks? Check out our Fall Mum post! Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

A view of our patch!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!
Some pumpkin decor on my porch this year!
Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!
This orange guy is called “Black Futsu” I think they are super fun and funky!
Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!
Here’s a blue hubbard!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!
Beautiful fairytale pumpkins, my favorite for baking!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

Was this post helpful for learning Pumpkin Tips and Tricks? Share it on Pinterest!

Do you have questions about caring for pumpkins? These pumpkin tips and tricks will help you choose the right pumpkin and keep it looking great!

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Comments

  1. Sandra says

    October 14, 2018 at 3:08 am

    Such good tips!!!! I feel like I’m going to be such a fall pro picking tight mums and waiting to buy my pumpkins and such! Do you have any good pumpkin seed recipes?

    Reply
    • christinemcovino says

      October 18, 2018 at 3:16 pm

      Yay!!! Thank you so much! I do have a couple I’m hoping to post in the next couple weeks, they are SO yummy!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Inexpensive Fall Front Porch Inspiration - Christine Covino says:
    October 18, 2018 at 3:02 pm

    […] the weather has stayed unseasonably warm and only recently has cooled down. I didn’t want my pumpkins to be affected (we’ve had to throw out bucket loads – Kubota bucket loads – full […]

    Reply

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Meet Christine!

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Instagram

Spent some time at one of my favorite places in th Spent some time at one of my favorite places in the world earlier this week, with some of my favorite people, and it was so dang good for the soul 🌸 more flowering tree and shrub content comin at you this week just because! Also...⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
🌿 Mini Gifting 🌿⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
A little thank you for supporting me!! I’m gifting a personally curated gardening package to one winner, all you have to do is follow me @christinemcovino and my other account @christineandcoliving, then head to my stories for the rest of the entry instructions 🥳
Happy national gardening day 🌱🌸 may you have Happy national gardening day 🌱🌸 may you have a bountiful crop this year, whatever you grow! ((Peony tip: feed early-emerging shoots with a high phosphorus fertilizer for strong, lush blooms!)). Find more gardening tips on the blog, link is in my bio 🌿
Liam ♡ In an alternate universe we would be cele Liam ♡ In an alternate universe we would be celebrating your first birthday. You should be crawling around, playing, laughing and eating too much cake today.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
You should be here.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
My sweet boy I miss you more than words, I ache to hold you. We walked the orchard and planted flower seeds in your memory. We got winks from you in the form of the earth waking up, all the yellow blooms, including your magnolia which couldn’t have had better timing. It’s comforting to see you say hi.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
And still, you should be here.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
He was here for a time. He existed. He mattered. He deserves to be celebrated.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I loved him from the second I saw the +test. I fell deeper in love every time I saw his energetic body bounce around on the ultrasound screen, I have all the blissful bump photos and I have the memory of his sweet little kicks. God I miss those kicks.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
My love did not end when he died.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Liam’s ashes, a few scan photos, my memory and an index card with his footprints are all that remains. I both hate that this is all I have left and am eternally grateful that I have them at all.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I found some comfort today but these anniversaries are also hard. I relive the trauma. The terror, shock, fear, disbelief, agony of being told your baby is dying. So deep and so crushing. Part of me died in that moment, part of me will never be the same again.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
There is nothing in this world more painful than living without your baby. You feel the heaviness, the absence, the longing for them constantly. The grief is always there, it ebbs and flows but it changes you to your core. You adapt to feeling the constant emptiness, your aching heart, your soft but heavy eyes, the shortness of your breath, that lump in your throat.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
And yet, I feel immensely fortunate to have carried you for every moment of your life. I will never regret the time we spent together, loving you, carrying you, feeling you, celebrating you and envisioning the life you would have had. I will carry the insatiable longing to hold you until the day I die. You will always be my baby. You will always be missed. I will never stop loving and mothering you, my sweet Liam James ❤️
How did we do with the bow!? It’s growing on me How did we do with the bow!? It’s growing on me I think 🥰😍
April 3, 2021 • just us this Easter weekend 💗 April 3, 2021 • just us this Easter weekend 💗
I’m not quite sure how she turned 5 months in th I’m not quite sure how she turned 5 months in the blink of an eye 🥺 My Elora. We are doing great ❤️ we’re nursing and bedsharing and babywearing and contact napping and I’m literally soaking in every moment with her. Months 4 and 5 have been the best yet. My body knows what to do and I follow her cues. We’re super in tune and I feel like it’s making both of us happier humans.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
There is this unspoken narrative in our society that somehow attachment between mom and baby is a weakness, a crutch. I say f that, it’s one of the most beautiful strengths that exists in this universe. Period.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Mama if you’re reading this and need some validation or reassurance, I got you. It’s ok to cuddle and rock and nurse and sing your baby to sleep. Follow your instincts, tune out the noise, feel empowered in your motherly intuition and find your confidence in that. It is so incredibly liberating.⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
I know it’s a confusing landscape out there for new moms, I hear you, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stress that you’re not doing something “right” or that your baby is “broken.” I’m not saying motherhood is easy for me, it’s the hardest (and best) thing I’ve ever done, but when women have the support they actually need and feel empowered in motherhood, that’s next-level world-changing stuff.⁣⁣⁣⠀
⁣⁣⠀
Mama knows best, never forget it ❤️

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