In my family pumpkin carving has always been an important part of the Halloween holiday.  In recent years after we carve them up they decorate my from lawn beckoning trick or treaters in from the cold, Mwa ha ha ha!

I remember as a kid we couldn't wait to carve our pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns to the point that by Halloween it was as much the mold  inside the thing that made them look scary as it was the face on the front.  But now thanks to pinterest, youtube and every other conceivable DIY outlet on the internet there are many options to keep you jack-o-lantern's smile fresh and lovely from today all the way to Halloween next Monday. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Slather Vaseline on the carved parts of your pumpkin to keep it from drying out and to help prevent mold from growing. Wear a rubber glove for this project!
  • Give your pumpkin a bath in 1 tsp of bleach per gallon of water. Let it soak for a few hours and spin it every now and then. The water helps hydrate the pumpkin and the bleach kills bacteria that promotes mold.
  • There's a preservative that you can buy called "Pumpkin Fresh".
  • Cooking oils like coconut or vegetable oil work, reapply as needed.
  • The best kept secret in your garage for keeping your pumpkin fresh is WD-40! The  mineral oil will prevent your pumpkins from drying out.

And there you have it, grab Linus and go get your pumpkin! And yes you're going to have to kill it.

 

 

More From WWMJ Ellsworth Maine