How to stop pumpkins from rotting
Pumpkins are a fall season staple and a must-have Halloween decor piece. However, due to their relatively short lifespan, many people are looking for ways to protect pumpkins from rotting in order to keep their festive decorations and favorite table fresher for longer.
There are a few ways to keep your pumpkins from rotting, whether it’s for your pumpkin carving ideas or your fall outdoor decor. However, it can all depend on whether they are carved, uncarved or still on the vine.
Here we look at how to prevent all your pumpkins from rotting, so you can pick a pumpkin from the bush for the ripest fruit or enhance your outdoor Halloween decorations.
How to prevent pumpkins from rotting after carving
(Image credit: Unsplash)
1. Wash before carving
“Before you carve your pumpkins, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean the outside of the pumpkin skin with a bleach solution to remove rot-causing microbes,” says Rachel Crow, gardening editor for Houses & Gardens. “Removing any pulp, spilled sugar, or microbes will help you get a good start on stopping pumpkins from rotting.”
Dilute 1 part bleach with 10 parts water and apply evenly to the surface of the gourd before wiping with a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly before carving. If you don’t like bleach, you can use vinegar instead.
2. Keep them cool
Although pumpkins look great as fall porch decorations, if you live in warmer climates and out of direct sunlight, keeping them cooler is important to protect them from the harshest elements.
3. Avoid open flames
Lighting carved pumpkins is one of the most aesthetically pleasing Halloween decorating ideas, however, live flames speed up the rotting process by drying out the pumpkin and exposing the skin to heat.
“Consider using LED tea lights or fairy lights in your pumpkins for a similar lighting effect without spoiling your fresh Halloween craft ideas,” says Rachel.
4. Use a preservative
“Using a natural preservative is a great way to extend the life of your carved pumpkins,” says Rachel. “Vinegar keeps pumpkins from rotting and is a common pantry staple that you probably already have in your kitchen.”
Another common preservative is petroleum jelly. While it doesn’t always work, adding jelly to the carved interior and raw edges can create a protective layer to prolong oxidation time.
How to prevent pumpkins from rotting before carving
(Image credit: Unsplash)
1. Clean the exterior
When you weigh up how long carved versus uncarved pumpkins last, uncarved pumpkins have a much longer lifespan with less work. For this reason, it may be worth considering pumpkin painting ideas rather than carving if you want a longer lasting decoration.
“Similar to carved pumpkins, washing them with a bleach solution or a vinegar-water solution will help ward off microbes that cause rot and decay,” says Rachel. “Be sure to clean all sides of your squash, and if possible, fully submerge the fruit in a bath or bucket.
2. Don’t freeze your pumpkins
“While warmer weather causes carved pumpkins to rot faster, freezing temperatures, or frost, will speed up the rotting of uncarved pumpkins,” advises Rachel. “Keep your pumpkins between 50 and 60℉ instead.”
3. Keep animals away
If you live in an area with a lot of wildlife, animals like deer, rats, mice and squirrels will keep your uncarved pumpkins in pristine condition. Knowing how to get rid of squirrels and mice is important when planting whole pumpkins outside the home.
If you’re an avid gardener, planting deer-resistant plants in your yard will help keep your yard deer-free year-round.
How to prevent pumpkins from rotting on the vine
(Image credit: Unsplash)
1. Water until fruits appear
“When growing pumpkins, it’s important to know how often to water them to ensure plump fruit,” says Rachel. “Squash like a little more water in the flowering phase for proper fruit growth than in the fruiting phase. Once the squash fruit turns orange, stop watering or watering to prevent rot.’
2. Use a ground barrier
If you are concerned about squash rot caused by soil moisture, soil pests, or overloaded fruit on the vine, you can use a ground fence or box to raise the squash off the ground and support it while it ripens.
“Pick up healthy pumpkins and place them on a small box, straw nest, or pallet to protect them from moisture,” recommends Rachel.
How long do uncarved pumpkins stay fresh?
A picked, uncarved pumpkin can last between two and three months if kept in the right conditions, e.g. B. without direct sun and from freezing temperatures. Carved pumpkins, on the other hand, only last a few days, regardless of the conditions in which they are kept.
Why are my pumpkins rotting?
If your squashes are rotting on the vine, they’re likely a victim of too much moisture in the soil, insufficient nutrition, or pests. Luckily, most of these causes can be addressed to protect the rest of your fruit.
Once you’ve carved your pumpkins, rotting is a natural occurrence as the larger surface area oxidizes. While you can extend the life of your pumpkins by adding preservatives like vinegar or petroleum jelly, there’s no way you can make your carved pumpkins last forever.