You don’t have to wait until mid-October to carve your pumpkins if you follow a few tips to keep your creation free of fungus, bacteria and mold.
Because pumpkins are technically a fruit, they, too, should be handled with the same care to ensure they last.
Pick the right pumpkin
The first thing you must do is to shop for a healthy pumpkin. Try to choose pumpkins that aren’t dented or damaged. Make sure that the stem isn’t loose and there isn’t evidence of water spots on the outside.
According to Matt Kasson, an associate professor of mycology and plant pathology at West Virginia University, diseases can occur any time between when the pumpkin was cut from the vine to when it arrives in your home.
“A bruise or crack will allow opportunistic fungi, bacteria, water molds and small insects to invade and colonize your pumpkins. Keeping the rind defect-free and stem intact ensures your prized pumpkin a longer shelf life,” Kasson said in an article published in The Conversation.
One way to help ensure that your pumpkin has not been exposed to a disease is to buy your pumpkin at a pumpkin patch.
Handle it with care
Not only should you secure your pumpkins when you transport them to prevent damage, but you should also clean your pumpkin with a bleach wipe once inside your home.
Carve your pumpkins with clean tools
When carving your pumpkin, use a clean cutting instrument and ensure that you have wiped down the entire pumpkin. Microbes living on the outside could catch a ride on your carving knife and reach the interior.
When hollowing out the pumpkin, keep an eye out for dark patches. It could be a sign of bacteria, fungi or mold. If you smell anything foul while carving, consider carving a different pumpkin.
The more flesh you remove, the less likely your pumpkin will pick up a fungus.
Keep your pumpkin safe from moisture, fungus and extreme temperatures
Pumpkins can rot as quickly as a week after carving, but some tricks have been shown to slow that process down. To block moisture, consider covering the cut portions with either vaseline or vegetable oil. Some suggest covering the outside with lemon juice or spraying it with bleach to protect it from fungus. Lastly, store it under a covered porch, or somewhere rain can’t get to it.
Freezing temperatures and extreme heat will shorten the life of your pumpkin. If you know there will be a sudden change in the weather, bring your creation inside.
Don’t use candles if you are “lighting” your jack-o’-lantern before Halloween. The heat from the flame can lead to faster rotting. Instead, use a battery-operated light or a glow stick.
Beware of pests
Insects and animals in your neighborhood may want to feast on your pumpkin. Put it in a place where a squirrel might not be tempted or if you have fruit flies in your area, put a fruit fly trap nearby.
The day after Halloween or if your pumpkin rots early
Before you toss that piece of art in the trash, Kasson says you should consider using it for something else.
“Put it out for your neighborhood deer or atop your compost pile. Or find a spot in your yard where you can watch it degrade over time until it turns back to soil in time for next year’s pumpkin patch,” Kasson said.