WILLCOX, Ariz. — It’s pumpkin picking season!
Whether you prefer to carve, paint or put decals on your pumpkins, chances are you want your creation to last until Halloween.
To avoid your pumpkin rotting or falling victim to the element, keep these helpful hints in mind from Director of Fun at Apple Annie’s Mandy Kirkendall.
DO: Pick a pumpkin without scratches or holes
Kirkendall said when you are searching for your perfect pumpkin, look at the outside thoroughly. There are many varieties of pumpkins, from Cinderella pumpkins that appear more squat to wart pumpkins that look like they have “witch’s noses” all over them, but a good rule of thumb for all of them is to avoid holes, scratches or anything else that may make the pumpkin rot.
DON’T: Forget to thoroughly dry your pumpkin
When you get home from the patch with your perfect pumpkin, Kirkendall recommends wiping down the exterior to get any dirt off of the outside. But when you’re done, make sure to thoroughly dry your pumpkin.
“You want to keep them dry,” Kirkendall said. “If they stay there on your front porch next to a plant you water, make sure that water doesn’t get on the pumpkin, because that will make them start rotting.”
DO: Keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight
Much like water, direct sunlight can cause your pumpkin to wilt or grow soft, and your prized pick will not last until Halloween.
“I've had people that picked pumpkins in October and then in the springtime they say they're still sitting on the porch,” Kirkendall said. “Not carved, but it's still sitting there and they're still doing great, as long as you keep them in the shade.”
DO: Use vaseline on your carved pumpkins
While pumpkins will inevitably rot once they are carved, Kirkendall said one way to postpone that process is to put Vaseline on the edges of where you carved.
Another way to make your pumpkin last? Paint the outside, or use decals. Kirkendall said she likes to paint her pumpkins and use them during the holiday season, as well, to turn them into Christmas decorations.
DON’T: Forget to use the whole pumpkin
Those seeds aren’t just there for decoration. Kirkendall said when carving your masterpiece, take out the seeds for roasting. Certain types of pumpkins, such as Cinderella pumpkins, you can even use for baking.
DO: Find a farm to donate your old pumpkins to
If you aren’t looking to keep your pumpkins out until Christmas like Kirkendall, or your perfect pick has started to rot, find a farm to donate your pumpkins to.
“Farmers love them for their animals,” Kirkendall said. “Horses love them.”
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