How long pumpkins last

Also look out for the texture. If the pumpkin is soft to touch, it means it will not last as long as you would like. You could refrigerate your pumpkin once it is carved wrapped in a bin bag to re-hydrate the lantern.

Another way to re-hydrate is to soak the pumpkin in a large bucket of cold water overnight. MORE : No pumpkin? Here are some alternative vegetables to carve this Halloween.

Check pumpkins often for soft spots or other signs of rotting. Look for mold, mildew, and be on the lookout for creepy crawlers. Remove any pumpkins that show signs of deterioration to protect those that remain in storage. In hot climates, it may make more sense to wait until a day or two before halloween to carve a pumpkin into a Jack-O-Lantern. There are, however, all manner of concoctions suggested online to extend the life of a carved pumpkin.

Some carvers have used antibacterial and antifungal cleaning solutions to slow decay, and may employ petroleum products like floor wax and automotive lubricants. Here are some popular sealants for cut surfaces to help carved pumpkins last longer :. I have tried pickling them, treating them with fungicide, covering them in lemon juice, smothering them with petroleum jelly, and putting a finish on them.

My best results have come from spraying the cut surface with a polyacrylic finish. This will prevent the pumpkin from drying out so fast and will extend the life of the carving. When spraying a carving with finish, be sure to do it outside or in a well-ventilated area. Dry the surface of the pumpkin with a cloth or paper towel before applying the finish. Carved pumpkins generally go mouldy within a week or two of carving. Cooler climates like the northern States and Canada may have to carve pumpkins in the first week of October to have a scary mouldy mess by the time Halloween night arrives.

Mary Jane is a home gardener who loves creating healthy, welcoming spaces indoors and out! Tulips are one of springtime's favorite flowers.

While there are thousands of individual varieties, all these different tulips can be separated into 16 main categories. Every tulip cultivar is placed Brighten up your garden with pink tulips! Tulips have so much variety and pair well with other flowers. Today, we are going to cover the many varieties of pink tulips and which ones will be best for See more More Lifestyle. How long do pumpkins last before and after carving?

Picture: Getty. By Alice Dear According2Al. Listen to this article Loading audio