How to Preserve Your Carved Pumpkins

It’s that time of year when we are heading to the pumpkin patch (or in our case the grocery store) to pick out the most perfect pumpkin for our jack-o-lantern! Carving pumpkins is one of my favorite traditions this time of year. I have carved a pumpkin almost every year since I was a kid. Over my adult years I have made notes about the best practices when it comes to preserving a carved pumpkin and today I am going to share with you what I have done and what other methods of preservation I have seen from doing some research!

How to choose the perfect pumpkin

When you’re out in the pumpkin patch, at the garden center, or the grocery store there are a few different things you should look for when choosing your pumpkin. Make sure it has a good stem as this can be an indicator of the health of the pumpkin. Keep an eye out for mold and that there aren’t any soft spots or large blemishes. On average a carved pumpkin will last 3 to 5 days due to its flesh being exposed to the elements. The tips and tricks below can help extend the life of your pumpkin a bit more!

Timing

If you want your Jack-o-Lantern to stay fresh for Halloween, then timing is EVERYTHING. Make sure not to carve it too early in the month. I am planning to carve mine 10 days before Halloween. Full disclosure, I am not sure how good they will be come October 31st but I am going to try a few of these methods to see if I can keep them looking good for when the trick-or-treaters come!

Outside Temps

If you live in a climate that is already in cooler temperatures, your pumpkin will last longer than if you live in a more Southern climate. Ideal temperatures for pumpkins are the upper 50s to lower 60s Fahrenheit. If temps are below freezing at night, it is best to bring your pumpkin inside as the freezing and thawing process can make your pumpkin break down faster. If you live in a hot humid climate, be sure to keep your pumpkin out of direct sun. Use those silica gel packets inside your pumpkin to help with excess moisture

It is important to keep your pumpkins out of the elements like rain and direct sunlight.

Remove as much of the insides as possible

To get off to the best start possible, remove as much of the stringy bits and seeds as you can from the inside of your pumpkin while carving. This will help prevent mold which could attract pests such as fruit flies.

Bleach

This seems to be the most popular way to preserve a pumpkin on the internet. Bleach will disinfect your pumpkin and kill any lingering bacteria. It is antifungal and an oxidizer and will slow the natural decomposition process. Treat the inside and outside of your pumpkin using a solution of 1 tsp of bleach per 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Treat the inside and outside of your pumpkin and allow to try before carving your design. Others recommend giving your jack-o-lantern a bleach soak after it’s carved. Soak it for an hour or up to 24 hours in a large bucket with 2/3 cup of bleach.

You can also use your bleach solution as a daily treatment to prevent mold. If you are planning on composting your pumpkin afterwards, this method is not for you. Try something more natural like a castile soap solution (1 TBSP of peppermint soap, 6 drops of peppermint oil in an 8oz spray bottle, fill the rest with water). A pinch of Borax in a quart of water is also great as a daily treatment.

Use faux candles or glowsticks

It is recommended to use flameless candles or glowsticks instead of real candles inside your pumpkin. The heat is zapping the moisture out of your pumpkin which will cause it to shrivel and rot faster.

Moisturize

While too much moisture can be a problem, so can lack of moisture. To keep your carved pumpkin moisturized, treat the inside and carved areas with vegetable oil or petroleum jelly to help lock in moisture. It should be noted that if you use petroleum jelly faux candles are a must as it is flammable. Your daily treatment with your bleach or peppermint solution will also help with moisture.

If your pumpkin looks like it could use a pick-me-up, you can bring it in and soak it overnight in an ice bath to give it a hit of moisture as well.

Pest Prevention

One great way to avoid pests is to keep your pumpkins off the ground. Place them on a windowsill or a bale of straw. I tend to keep mine on the ground but make sure that they aren’t sitting in water or I place one on our porch railing. This keeps them off the ground and makes it easier to see the designs!

Carved pumpkins can be prone to fruit fly infestations. If you are finding some of those little flies buzzing around your jack-o-lanterns, place a dish of wine near them to attract the flies away. You can also use a fruit fly trap in the same way!

How to Preserve Your Carved Pumpkins