THE WIFE Guide: Carving Pumpkins

We’ve all been there… Trying to guess-timate the best time to carve your pumpkin to ensure it will last until Halloween night. So I did a little research and found out some of the tried and true methods of keeping pumpkins their freshest. With the suggested tips below your creatively carved pumpkins will last and be enjoyed by your neighborhood trick or treaters.– Taryn Cox for THE WIFE

1. Choosing your pumpkin – Select pumpkins that are very fresh and firm. Avoid choosing a pumpkin that has bruises, soft areas, cuts and or any other visible blemishes.

2. Weather: Remember that warm weather and hot sunlight can speed up the decay of your pumpkin. If you live in a hot climate be sure to store your uncut pumpkins in a cool spot  and wait to carve them a day or two before Halloween.

3. Heat: Heat from candles and electric light bulbs can also contribute to the early demise of a pumpkin. Try cutting a hole on the top of the pumpkin to allow heat to escape.

4. Petroleum Jelly: Try Covering all cut edges of the pumpkin, as well as the entire interior with petroleum jelly or Vaseline. This will reduce moisture loss and keep pumpkins looking fresh longer.

5. Bleach: Another method is soaking your pumpkin before and after carving in a bleach and water mixture to keep mold from growing.

6. Acrylic Spray: Also you can try spraying carved pumpkins with acrylic finish spray. The spray is intended to seal in the pumpkins freshness, preventing dehydration and acting as a barrier to mold.

7. Pumpkin Fresh: The best known remedy is to spray/treat your carved pumpkin with ‘Pumpkin Fresh.’ This unique product has a breakthrough formula that fights mold, rot and decay. It is biodegradable and Eco friendly. Available for purchase Here. – Taryn Cox for  THE WIFE/ image: MimiThorrison.com