Pumpkins are an essential part of fall decorating, but you don't want have them rotting out by the time the first week of October rolls around.

There's a few things to keep in mind when picking out that perfect pumpkin, whether you're just going to set it out on your porch or in your yard, or if you planning on carving him up for a nice Halloween decoration.

First things first, when you pick out your pumpkin, make sure it doesn't have any holes, scratches, or any other marks. If the skin is broken in any way, they will begin to rot faster. Holes and soft spots will also attract bugs, which will speed up the rotting process as well. Go for the perfect, hard, brightly orange pumpkins. You may have to do a little digging in the pumpkin bin or search a little longer in a pumpkin patch, but it will be worth it when Halloween rolls around and your pumpkins still look immaculate.

There's something a lot of us DON'T do after picking out a pumpkin, but if we did our pumpkins would last longer. We're talking about washing that pumpkin once you get it home. And don't wash it with soap and water. According to Pumpkin Patches and More, you should make a solution of bleach and water and spray the pumpkin down. You can let it sit for a few minutes, then dry it.

As for storing that freshly picked pumpkin, you want to keep it in a cool, dry area. Heat and humidity will make that bad boy rot out super fast.

And finally, if you're going to be carving up that pumpkin, wait. The sooner you carve it and break its skin, the faster it's going to start rotting. Don't carve it today, or tomorrow. Wait until we get closer to Halloween. That doesn't mean you have to wait until the day before the holiday, but it's probably best to wait a few weeks until we get closer to that date.

Hopefully by following these simple tips, your pumpkin will survive through Halloween. Good luck and enjoy your fall.

 

 


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