Make Your Own Heirloom Pumpkins

We’re sharing how to make your own heirloom pumpkins in just a few simple steps today!

Since the beginning of September, it seems like people have been in one of two camps – ready to decorate the minute the calendar turns to September 1^st or waiting until it’s officially Fall.

This is our favorite time of year to create a cozy home because Fall is such a beautiful season to welcome change and new adventures.

Soft greens, blues, purples, and grays have played a big role in our seasonal color palette as we love neutrals and muted colors overall.

Heirloom Pumpkins, especially Jarrahdale Pumpkins are perfect because they’re a beautiful bluish, greenish color with a slight haze of gray.

We’ve been on the hunt for these fabulous pumpkins, even searching at multiple grocery stores, the farmers market, and a few big box stores too.

After not being able to find anything but bright orange carving pumpkins (which we also love), we’ve decided to make our own Heirloom Pumpkins until (fingers crossed) they finally arrive.

Here’s a look at how you can make DIY Heirloom Pumpkins too.

DIY Heirloom Pumpkins…

Heirloom Pumpkin Supplies:

• Faux pumpkins and/or gourds
• Various shades of paint in blue, green, gray, white, cream, and brown
• Chip brushes
• Detail art brushes
• Tarp
• Paper towels or old cloth
• Cup of water (optional)
• Paper plate (optional)

DIY Heirloom Pumpkin Steps…

Paint a base coat onto your pumpkins and gourds.

We picked these up at The Dollar Tree and used samples of latex paint we had on hand already in Valspar’s Atlantic Gray and Blue Haze.

We used two coats and allowed the paint to dry overnight – don’t rush this step!

Dry brush several strokes of white or cream on your pumpkin and allow it to dry completely.

This will help you build up some layers.

Next, dry-brush another color onto your pumpkin.

Wait just a few minutes, then wipe off any excess with an old cloth or a paper towel.

Then add a light (watered-down) coat of brown or gray to give your pumpkin or gourd some age.

You could also use a watered-down coat of white or cream if you want your pumpkin to have that pretty haze or waxy look.

Adding Patina to Heirloom Pumpkins

Now, if you want to take it a step further, you can use a detail brush and lightly paint in between the ridges of the pumpkin.

Again, if you want age or dirt, you’ll use brown.

If you want a soft, waxy feel, you’ll use cream or white paint.

Be sure to rub whichever paint you choose into the ridges of the pumpkin or gourd to make it look more natural.

It might take a couple of tries to get the Heirloom Pumpkin look you’re after.

It might even be easier for you to mix up a few colors and try it out until you find which one you like best.

We’re totally in the perfectly imperfect camp when it comes to projects like these.

Creating the Perfect Pumpkin Stem…

If your pumpkin is Styrofoam like ours, you’ll need to create a stem of your own.

I found these sticks from around our property and soaked them in a mix of bleach and water.

Then I left them out in the sun to completely dry out.

You have to make sure you’ve gotten rid of any critters that are commonly found in wood before you bring them inside.

Simply pop the existing Styrofoam pumpkin top off and insert your freshly cleaned wood stick.

These Heirloom Pumpkins couldn’t be easier to make.

After the initial drying time, it probably took all of 20 minutes to create this entire lot!

I’ll still be on the lookout for the real thing.

But until then, I’m going to enjoy this DIY version all season long.

To see more of how we used these easy DIY heirloom pumpkins, see how we welcomed Fall on our back patio here and on our front porch here.

Additional Pumpkin Inspiration to Explore…

Brown and White Transferware Pumpkins

DIY Pumpkin Diffuser

How to Personalize Pumpkins with Paint

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo