Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Do Your Pumpkins Grow?

If you've never heard what it takes to grow pumpkins, we think it's about time someone told you. The whole process never ceases to amaze us. God's handiwork is evident everywhere!

Have you ever looked out in a pumpkin field in the middle of the summer and noticed the beautiful yellow flowers?

In about mid-July, you'll see pumpkin plants starting to produce yellow flowers. These blossoms are critial to the growing of the fruit itself. Upon closer inspection, you'll see two kinds of flowers, male and female. (Shown below is the male flower on the left and the female flower on the right.)

The female flower has tiny pumpkins at its base and the male flower contains pollen. In order for the pollen to make its way from the males to the females, nature requires a carrier. What creatures fit the bill? Bees, of course!

About 2 weeks ago, we had a hives of bees delivered to the pumpkin patch to start this process. Once the flowers are pollinated, the fruit at the base of the female blossom develops into a full size pumpkin. Without the bees, the pumpkins wouldn't grow!

Our bees have done their job, because as you can see, we do have large pumpkins starting to come! (Now we need some heat to make them really grow and turn to orange)

How's that for amazing?!?
Nature is God's most visible miracle...take time to appreciate it!