How to make your Halloween pumpkins last longer — tips and tricks

How to make your Halloween pumpkins concluding longer — tips and tricks

Halloween pumpkin in window (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Halloween season is upon u.s., and now is the time to head over to the pumpkin patch and start carving out some chilling creations. While the festive, fun tradition of displaying beautifully carved pumpkins seems elementary enough, knowing how to brand your Halloween pumpkins last longer tin be a niggling catchy.

Subsequently all, yous don't desire to spend hours working on your masterpieces, to only take them shrivel up and rot afterward a few days. Typically, in one case a pumpkin is carved, it will terminal for three to v days, depending on the climate yous live in. Good news if you live in a colder climate though — pumpkins tin can last up to ii weeks.

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While there is no permanent way to finish the decaying process, there are some smart and savvy means to help extend our carved pumpkins' life throughout the fall.

So if yous want to preserve your spooky pumpkins, these useful tips and tricks volition make them last longer into the Halloween season and across.

Rotting Halloween pumpkin (Image credit: Shutterstock)

How to make your pumpkin last longer

one. Buy from a local patch — If you have access to a local pumpkin patch, it's improve to purchase in that location than from the store. Since pumpkins are grown on-site, there won't be any damage from shipping or transportation.

Also, when choosing your perfect pumpkin, make sure you feel for any soft spots —these betoken it volition rot as presently as you've carved it. The firmer the peel, the longer it volition last.

2. Soak in a bleach-bath — Once your pumpkin is completely gutted and gratis of seeds, yous demand to clean the inside and outside to go along it fresh and healthy. The all-time way is to soak your carved pumpkin in a bleach-bath solution. Simply mix one office bleach to 10 parts water in a bucket or large container.

So, let your carved pumpkin bathe in the solution for upwards to 24 hours. Exist sure to stir it effectually to make sure all sides get 'bathed'. You can also reuse your bleach-h2o solution every bit a daily spray to revive your pumpkin's skin.

3. Make sure your pumpkins are completely dry — In one case your pumpkin is washed, make sure information technology's completely dry. If the pumpkin is still wet when yous place it outside, this will lead to mold and it volition apace rot. Bear in mind that liquid likes to pool at the base of the stem, and so ensure that area is actress dry.

You tin can use a towel to dry the inside of the pumpkin or exit it in a absurd, dry, ventilated place. Never get out information technology to dry out outside as the elements will speed upward the decay, and don't use a blow dryer as information technology will only heat it up and contribute to the rotting process.

Person gutting out a pumpkin (Image credit: Shutterstock)

4. Moisturize the skin — Equally well equally washing your pumpkin, y'all demand to give its skin some TLC to foreclose information technology from drying out. By applying a coat of coconut oil or olive oil effectually the carved areas of the pumpkin, this volition help to keep it fresh and wrinkle-free. In addition, you tin rub lemon juice on the outside to keep insects abroad, maintain its vibrant color and delay the drying procedure.

five. Brand a peppermint pumpkin spray — Another natural mode of rehydrating your pumpkin is to condition it with a peppermint oil spray. Simply mix 1 capful of liquid peppermint soap with half-dozen drops of peppermint essential oil in an 8-ounce spray bottle Peppermint has anti-fungal backdrop which forbid mold and fungus from forming. What'southward more, it will exit your pumpkin smelling fragrant.

Bottle of olive oil (Image credit: Shutterstock)

6. Proceed pests away — Since pumpkins are a fruit (yes — you heard us right) they are decumbent to fruit flies. If you detect any lurking around, you lot can place a fruit fly trap nearby to keep them at bay. Check out our tips on how to get rid of fruit flies fast if you lot need help.

In addition, if you want to avoid ground pests such as ants or squirrels, it's all-time to keep your pumpkins off the ground. Y'all can sit them on a window sill, on a step, or stack them in decorative baskets.

7. Pick a great location — Make sure you leave your pumpkins in an ideal spot, away from harsh temperatures. When left outside, a covered or shaded area is all-time. If you lot alive in warmer climates, the sun will dry it out, while freezing temperatures volition impact it too.

Pumpkin on porch (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

eight. Shop in the refrigerator overnight — After displaying your scary pumpkins out during the day, you tin can also wrap them in plastic and store in the refrigerator overnight. If you take an actress large pumpkin, store in a cool function of the home, such equally the basement. The cool temperature will forbid information technology from decaying, especially if you live in a warmer climate.

nine. Don't utilise real candles inside your pumpkin — This may have all the fun out, since candles are what makes a Halloween pumpkin glow. Notwithstanding, a real flame will essentially rut the pumpkin and 'cook' the inside, contributing to the decay process.

Instead, you can illuminate your pumpkin with bombardment-operated tealights, flickering flameless candles or fifty-fifty glow sticks to create a warm glow. In any example, it'due south the safer option!

Battery-operated candles (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, 'must-have' home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy 'how to' features.

Her piece of work has been published in diverse titles including, T3, Pinnacle Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she's not testing cool products, she'll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce upward her family home or looking for a great deal!