Kelsey Opel
It’s pumpkin season! If you haven’t already picked out your festive friend, there’s a list of qualities you’ll want to look at when finding the perfect pumpkin. The freshest pumpkin ensures a long life for your spooky jack-o-lantern.
Always try to find the sturdiest carving pumpkin when hunting for your festive decoration.
Tap the gourd to make sure it sounds hollow. This process ensures that it’s fresh and won’t rot as quickly. When looking through the patch, flip the pumpkin over and firmly push down on the bottom of the pumpkin. If it’s not sturdy, it will rot faster.
A strong pumpkin should also sit flat on the ground so your decoration won’t easily fall over.
Also, make sure that your pumpkin has consistent coloring throughout and doesn’t have any bruises, deep scratches, or soft spots. Not only will this guarantee a beautiful-looking pumpkin, but it will last much longer.
After you’ve picked out your pumpkin, make sure to carry it from the bottom rather than holding the stem. You don’t want to damage your festive friend before making it home.
Finding the freshest pumpkin will extend your jack-o-lantern’s life during the spooky season. When you’re ready to carve your pumpkin, cut it upside down and apply petroleum jelly to the carved edges for a longer-lasting decoration.
