I know some of you might be carving pumpkins this weekend- we just did this today with our Girl Scout troop.
I thought I would put together a little list of tips you might try to help preserve your pumpkins. Hopefully one of these options will work for you to keep that hard work looking great through Halloween.
- Soak pumpkin in water 1-2 hours. You can also add 1 teaspoon bleach per gallon of water. You can omit the bleach but the results won’t last quite a long.
- Brush Vinegar and Lemon Juice on the outside of pumpkin (add 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to a quart of water).
- Rub petroleum jelly on the inside and carved parts of pumpkin. This is supposed to keep the insides from drying out and changing its shape. This is a great option for smaller pumpkins. Just lightly rub the petroleum jelly on it shouldn’t be a thick coating.
- Coat the inside with white glue or vegetable oil to prevent shriveling.
- Small packets of silica gel (that come with shoes and such) can be placed inside a carved pumpkin to help keep it dry and mold free.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and move to basement, garage or other cool area if it’s going to be very warm.
- Use a battery operated candle if you plan on lighting up your pumpkin more than once. Heat shortens the life of a pumpkin.
Happy Carving!
You can see more fun recipes, crafts and ideas for Halloween on my Pinterest board.
Any tips to keep the squirrels from eating the pumpkins? Last year I even brushed hot sauce all over ours and that didn’t deter them one bit. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Jill, Maybe spray with Bitter Apple (it’s a spray that they sell at pet stores to deter dogs from chewing)? I haven’t tried it, but it might help.
I feel the need to point out that silica packets should not be placed where pets can reach them, they are poisonous!
Re: squirrels – fox urine – sounds gross, but they’re one of few natural predators, so it works – for whatever you need to keep a squirrel out of… flowers, attics, etc. Get it from your local gun/hunting store.
I rub Murphy’s Oil on mine. Gives it a nice shine and keeps squirrels away.
Is it the same with no vinegar
Does this help if your Not carving the pumpkin?
great tips! I’ve never seen the silica gel mentioned. We usually sprinkle cinnamon inside the carved pumpkin too so that it smells nice while lit with a candle. Happy Halloween!
Won’t petroleum jelly catch on fire, I had a non carved pumpkin in my backyard and it lasted well over a year, I live in the Southwest.
Old English oil for uncarved pumpkins?
Don’t use harmful chemicals on pumpkins and gords… Wildlife will eat them, and become seriously ill or die…