How to make your jack-o’-lantern last until Oct. 31 – 104.5 WOKV
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 fungi, bacteria, and mold.
Since pumpkins are technically a fruit, they too should be treated with the same care to ensure they last.
Choose the right pumpkin
The first thing you need to do is buy a healthy pumpkin. Try to choose pumpkins that aren’t dented or damaged. Make sure the stem is not loose and there are no signs of water staining on the outside.
According to Matt Kasson, an associate professor of mycology and plant pathology at West Virginia University, diseases can appear anytime between the moment the squash is cut off the vine and until it arrives at your home.
“A bruise or tear allows opportunistic fungi, bacteria, aquatic mold and small insects to enter and colonize your gourds. Keeping the rind flawless and the stalk intact will keep your prized squash longer,” Kasson said in an article published in The Conversation.
One way to ensure your pumpkin hasn’t been exposed to disease is to buy your pumpkin from a pumpkin patch.
Handle it with care
In addition to securing your gourds in transit to prevent damage, you should also clean your gourd with a bleach cloth once you have it home.
Carve your pumpkins with clean tools
When carving your pumpkin, use a clean cutting instrument and make sure you’ve wiped the entire pumpkin clean. Microbes living on the outside could ride on your carving knife and get inside.
Watch out for dark spots when hollowing out the pumpkin. It could be a sign of bacteria, fungus, or mold. If you smell something foul while carving, consider carving another pumpkin.
The more pulp you remove, the less likely your squash will get a fungus.
Protect your pumpkin from moisture, fungus and extreme temperatures
Pumpkins can rot as early as a week after carving, but a few tricks have been shown to slow this process. To block moisture, consider covering the cut pieces with either petroleum jelly or vegetable oil. Some suggest covering the outside with lemon juice or spraying it with bleach to protect it from fungus. Finally, keep it under a covered porch or somewhere where it can’t rain.
Freezing temperatures and extreme heat will shorten the lifespan of your pumpkin. If you know the weather is about to change suddenly, bring your creation indoors.
Don’t use candles when “lighting” your jack-o’-lantern before Halloween. The heat of the flame can lead to faster rotting. Use a battery-powered lamp or glow stick instead.
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 around, put a fruit fly trap nearby.
The day after Halloween or when your pumpkin is rotting early
Before you throw that piece of art in the trash, consider repurposing it, says Kasson.
“Put it out for your deer around the neighborhood or on your compost heap. 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.
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