It’s that time of year! Halloween is just around the corner and you want to carve the most epic pumpkin of your life. Well, lucky for you, I’ve found a few great tips and even a pumpkin hacks video. First, tips on how to make your pumpkin last longer:
- Before you start, let your pumpkin dry completely. Scoop out all the guts and then let the interior get completely dry before starting carving. This means less moisture inside the pumpkin to accelerate rot.
- Did you know cutting the stem off the pumpkin is actually bad for it? That stem is still delivering vital nutrients to the pumpkin, even after it’s been off the vine. Try cutting a hole on the side or back of the pumpkin to keep the stem attached.
- Once you’ve carved, try making a DIY pumpkin spray! Just fill up an empty spray bottle with water and add one tablespoon peppermint castile soap. Shake the bottle to mix, and spray your carved pumpkin daily to slow down the decay process.
- This may seem counterintuitive in a carved pumpkin, but you can avoid candles and keep the pumpkin from drying out too fast. Use one of those flickering battery-operated lights in there instead.
- Those edges of your carved pumpkin that start to rot first? Try putting a little petroleum jelly on them to lock in moisture. Olive oil and coconut oil should have a similar effect!
- If your pumpkin is starting to shrivel, that’s an indication that it needs a cold shock (pumpkins resist heat). Try giving it an ice bath for an hour or leaving it in the fridge overnight.
- Finally, to keep fruit flies from eating away at your pumpkin, make sure ALL guts are removed (this is what attracts the flies). If they’re still coming, throw a small fruit flay trap nearby to get rid of those pests.
Now, on to some fun pumpkin hacks! Check out the YouTube video below. Enjoy your pumpkin-carving and trick-or-treating this weekend!
