If you’re joining our Jack-O’-Lantern contest at our Halloween Market on October 14th or just want to make sure your pumpkin masterpiece lasts as long as possible, here are some tips:
- Wash your pumpkin well. Removing dirt, oil, and bacteria will help your pumpkin from decaying before you’re done with it.
- After carving, give it a good rinse in a 1:10 bleach/water solution. This will help to kill mold and bacteria that would decay your pumpkin.
- Coat carved areas with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This will help retain moisture and form a protective layer. Spray cooking oil can also work in a pinch.
- Keep your pumpkin in a cool place and out of the sun. If you can fit it in your refrigerator, that’s perfect!