8 Tips to Make Pumpkins Last Longer This Halloween

Tips

• Handle with Care: Keep your hands off pumpkins to avoid oils speeding up rotting. Be gentle to prevent bruises or cuts. Grab the fruit gently around the middle instead of gripping the stem.
• Location Is Key: Place pumpkins in a dry, shaded spot like a covered porch if keeping them outside. Avoid hot sun and rain to prevent decay, mold, and mush.
• Give it a Bath: Bathe the pumpkin in a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to 10 parts water) for two minutes to neutralize bacteria and mold. Ensure the base of the stem is dry.
• Let It Dry: Ensure the inside is entirely free of guts and let the cavity dry out before carving to prevent faster rotting from moisture and air exposure.
• Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: Rub petroleum jelly, olive oil, or coconut oil around carved edges to prevent oxidation and drying out.
• Make a Pumpkin Spray: Create a spray using peppermint soap and peppermint essential oil to moisturize the rind and use peppermint's anti-fungal properties.
• Keep Pests Away: Keep pumpkins off the ground to deter ground-lurking pests. Ensure the inside is gut-free to prevent mold that attracts fruit flies. Use an open dish of wine to trap existing flies.
• Avoid Candles: Avoid using real flames inside carved pumpkins as they dry out the interior and cause faster rotting. Use battery-operated lights instead.