Preserving Pumpkins Tips & Tricks

Written November 2, 2022

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I’m not an absolute, huge, fan of Halloween and its scary vibe that goes along with it (don’t tell my brother who was born on said night – you’re great!). But Fall! Fall is the season that just makes me feel comfortable. Life is just great at this time of year. I know you know what that feeling is. The feeling that just makes you a happier person; the weather is the perfect temperature; it’s not too hot, nor too cold (depending on where you live, I guess), the smell is fresh, and crisp, and the golden colors that take over your vision of the Earth. It soothes my soul.

When my children are older, maybe I’ll get into decorating for the actual Holiday itself, as I’ll get to make the magic come alive for them, but for now, I’ll just keep decorating with my pumpkins, straw barrels, and cornstalks.

It’s our first year in our newly remodeled home, so I didn’t go all out.

But I just love driving into our yard with this being the first thing that I see!

The squirrels seem to like the corn too!

Speaking of pumpkin decorating though, how do you chose the right coordination of them?! There are just so many different styles, colors, and shapes. There’s pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Maybe something else I am unaware of?!

As we were out buying pumpkins, for a number of things – our Fall Pumpkin Carving Party, making my dad's work contest pumpkin (is that cheating?), decorative pumpkins for the yard– I started thinking about how they were going to hold up throughout the month. Each of the pumpkins, squash, and gourds that I used for these events, needed to hold up for a decent amount of time, but is that alot to ask of a produce item?

I mean, we had our carving party two weeks before Halloween; how were our pumpkins going to keep from rotting? And every year during the Clinic’s Pumpkin decorating party, at least one pumpkin creation ends up rotting, and toppling over, causing it to smash its guts all over the floor.

Last year, we might’ve cheated and used those fake carvable pumpkins from Michael’s Craft Store.. shh..

But in reality, if all else fails, fake pumpkins are the way to go. I promise!

Anyways, in hopes that we could make all of these pumpkins last, I decided to do some research and I wanted to make a compilation of advice and tips that I found, to help you too! If you’re here, and reading this, you must be looking for ways to keep your pumpkin’s prettier, longer. So, once you’ve read through these tips, I highly suggest you go to TikTok and get reeled in to their videos like I did! Haha!

Enough chit chat for now, we’ve got pumpkins to preserve! Let’s get to business.

How to Preserve Pumpkins + Extra Tips!

All mentioned references were found on TikTok. Go check out their videos!

@Rosalynndaniels says…

– Wipe down uncarved pumpkins w/antibacterial cleaning wipes

– Use peppermint essential oils (for no chemicals)– Spray weekly (on inside & outside of pumpkin):preserving-pumpkins-jump-to-tips

Spray Solution: 1/4 Cup bleach & 2 cups water

– Spread Petroleum Jelly on open cuts of pumpkin (carved area that has been exposed to air)

*** As a reminder, Petroleum is a flammable material. Though, Petroleum Jelly/Vaseline may not ignite easily or be common, it is still a fire risk.

PRO TIP: It is safer, and your pumpkin and the light, will last longer if you use a fake battery operated candle to light your pumpkin instead of a Tea Light Candle.

@Keystothequeen says…

– Spray with a water/vinegar solution

– Extra tip: you can remove marker drawings from carving pumpkins with rubbing alcohol

@USAToday

– TRY IT TIP: instead of carving a hole in the top of your pumpkin, for gut and seed removal, try cutting a hole in the bottom of the pumpkin.

– This way you can place the pumpkin over top of a candle/light, instead of placing your hand into the pumpkin.

– It keeps the stem in tact, as this helps the pumpkin retain its water (this will help it last longer, and keep its walls from caving in)

– By cutting a hole in the bottom, it doesn’t have to be a specific cut so that you know how to put the top/stem back on the correct way

– Tip: clean the insides as much as possible to keep it from rotting

@benkenhill

– ModPodge spray OR paint on

– Rub floor polish (IE: Quickshire Hardwood Floor Luster Wax) on the pumpkin

These add a finish to it so that it lasts longer and keeps bugs from eating through it, as well as keeping it shiny.

This “TikToker” only does this to whole, uncarved, pumpkins. She also posted an 8 week update with them still looking just as fresh!

@smithsgardentown

Offers his advice to pumpkin picking:

– pick only firm pumpkins with no soft spots or open cuts

– pick a pumpkin with an intact stem

– Soak in vinegar OR bleach for 30-45 min

– use dry erase markers for drawing on pumpkin, as it will wash away with water

@hollywoodshadow

– Tip: use the outer ring part of a canning/mason jar lid to scrape out pumpkin seeds and guts quicker, as well as giving you a sturdier grip.

I saved the most fun for last!

Check out @potatobananaelephant on TikTok as she shares her real experience with different “hacks” that supposedly keep the pumpkin from rotting as quick!

The results from worst to best solution are as follows …

5. Coconut Oil

4. Doing Nothing

3. Peppermint Soap

2. Hairspray

1. Essential Oils (orange, tea tree, clove)

In her comments section, a commenter mentions she hairsprays hers every few days to keep the mold from spreading as quickly, and the OP offered to experiment with both hairspray and the essential oils thinking if they doubled up, it would make the solution stonger at keeping it from rotting as quickly. Food for thought?

If you try any of these, and you find that they work or don’t work, please share with us! We’d love to find out what happens with different pumpkins and these “hacks!”

If you have your own pumpkin hack, let us know in the comment section! Help our lives to become easier during the beginning of this holiday season!

Happy Pumpkin Picking and Carving!

and a Happy Halloween! OOOOOooooooo . . . . BOO!

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