The spooky season is upon us, and it’s time to carve your best jack-o’-lantern.
Aside from deciding on carving ideas for this year, the biggest challenge for Halloween enthusiasts is ensuring their pumpkins last throughout the month.
Birds and squirrels will try their best to get at them, but another hurdle is stopping the gourds from rotting. So, how can you ensure your jack-o’-lantern still looks good come October 31?
Home decoration expert Joshua Houston from Household Quotes has some handy tips and tricks for selecting the perfect pumpkin and making it last. One tip you might not have heard is to choose based on the colour of the stem, reports the Express.
How to spot the perfect pumpkin
Avoid damaged or blemished pumpkins
When hunting for the perfect pumpkin, steer clear of ones that are already damaged or have blemishes on them. You’ll know a pumpkin is blemished if it has marks on the outside that detract from its appearance.
These pumpkins rot quickly and most likely won’t make it till the end of October.
Check for a green stem
If you go to a farm to pick your pumpkins, look out for ones with a green stem. This indicates that the pumpkin is unripe, which means it will stay fresh for longer than those without.
Don’t go for soft pumpkins
When you pick up a pumpkin, check how soft it is. Hard pumpkins will last longer as a soft one is a sign that it’s already starting to rot.
Consider the size
The size of your pumpkin should correspond to your carving skills.
Smaller ones are more challenging, so if you’re not particularly crafty, it might be better to opt for a larger one. This will give you more room to create the perfect design.
When to buy Halloween pumpkins
Interestingly, pumpkins can last anywhere from eight to twelve weeks, meaning you can start planning your pumpkin-picking trip now.
However, you should hold off on carving your pumpkins until closer to Halloween. An open pumpkin will start to decay and mould will accumulate – a truly terrifying prospect.
Aim to carve your pumpkin from October 26 onwards to ensure it won’t be rotten by Halloween night.