Fall is upon us, although the weather doesn’t seem to agree. That means it’s time to decorate with some pumpkins. The tricky part is how to keep pumpkins fresh longer. I need them to last all season, not just a couple of weeks. The good news is that there are a few tricks to keeping them looking good until it’s time to put up the Christmas lights.
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It’s Pumpkin Season
Fall is my favorite time of year. I like the cozy decor, warm drinks, and flannel shirts. As soon as September hits, I’m ready to pull out the pumpkins and blue jeans. Although it is still in the upper 90’s my heart says lower 60’s.
In the fall my porch decor consists of mums and pumpkins. It remains that way until it’s time to put up the Christmas lights. Because although I enjoy decorating for the season, I only want to do it once every 3 months. The trouble I face when decorating with pumpkins is keeping them fresh long enough to last the season.
I don’t mind having to scoop it up with a snow shovel when it’s done, but I want it to look nice for as long as possible. It may be easier to just use fake ones, but I really prefer the look of a real pumpkin. So every year I try out different ways to keep my pumpkins looking good and fresh for the entire fall season.
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How to Keep Whole Pumpkins Fresh Longer
Keep it covered.
Just like any produce, a pumpkin left out in the elements will go bad faster than one in a protected area. This means putting pumpkins somewhere protected from the sun and rain, like a covered porch. This will give them a bit of protection, but they will be easily displayed when guests arrive.
Spray with WD40
Before you place the pumpkin outdoors, spray it down with a bit of WD40. Then wipe away the excess with a paper towel. This will help to preserve your pumpkin.
Give it a vinegar bath.
Mix together 1 part vinegar with 10 parts water. Allow the pumpkins to soak for about half an hour. Then let them air dry. This should help the pumpkins stay fresh outside.
Use a bleach spray.
Fill a spray bottle with 1 quart of water and 1 teaspoon of bleach. Spray the pumpkin down about once a week. This trick works well on carved and uncarved pumpkins. It prevents mold and pests.
For the best results, combine these methods. Give the pumpkin a vinegar bath, then spray it down with WD40, before placing it in a covered area.
How to Keep Carved Pumpkins Fresh Longer
As a general rule, a carved pumpkin will not last as long as an uncarved pumpkin. So keep that in mind when you decide to carve. If this is a concern try painting pumpkins instead.
Apply petroleum jelly.
After carving the pumpkin, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly along the carved edges. This will protect them from drying out. WD40 works too. Do not put a flame inside the pumpkin after doing this as it will cause a fire. Try a battery operated candle or glow stick instead.
Spray with peppermint soap.
Mix together 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint castile soap and 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Give the pumpkin a good spray once a week. The peppermint helps to keep the pests away and has antifungal properties. This will help slow down the decomposition.
Use a daily bleach spray.
Fill a spray bottle with 1 quart of water and 1 teaspoon of bleach. Spray the pumpkin down daily both inside and out. It prevents mold and pests while keeping the pumpkin hydrated. No shriveled up pumpkins here.
Combine these ideas for best results. Give the pumpkin a bleach bath, followed by some petroleum jelly. Remember the longer you wait for cooler weather the better off your pumpkin will be.
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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