Too early and it will wilt before its time, too late and you won’t have time to enjoy your decor!
Are you dreaming of a perfect Halloween decoration, with carved pumpkins that light up your home on the evening of October 31? Be careful, mismanage your timing, and your masterpiece could turn into a limp, moldy mass before the kids even have time to ask for candy. So, when should you carve your pumpkin so that it is still fresh on Halloween night? We tell you everything.
First of all, before even thinking about carving, it is crucial to choose the right pumpkin. Not all are created equal, and certain details can make the difference between lasting decor and early disaster. Interior design specialist, Joshua Houston, shared some of his valuable advice. He indicates that it is best to favor a pumpkin without visible imperfections. Cracks or stains can be signs of premature rot, and it would be a shame to spend hours on your creation which, in the end, will not last until Halloween. Next, make sure the pumpkin is firm. A soft pumpkin often means it is overripe and likely to break down quickly once opened. Joshua Houston recommends checking the stem as well. The greener it is, the fresher the pumpkin is and the longer it will last. Finally, if you’re not particularly skilled at carving, choose a larger pumpkin. Smaller ones, although cute, will be more difficult to work with.
You will have understood, between the air which infiltrates and the bacteria which settle in, rot can appear in just a few days. To prevent your pumpkin from ending up in mush before the big day, it is important to choose the right time to carve it. Surprisingly, unopened pumpkins can last for several weeks. Joshua Houston says you can start planning your pumpkin picking well in advance without worry. But when it comes to the sculpture, be patient! If you sculpt too early, mold will have plenty of time to build up, and the Halloween effect could turn into a nightmare, in the bad sense of the word. The solution? Carve your spooky designs on October 26, 5 days in advance.
To put all the chances on your side when it comes to preparing your pumpkin, the specialist recommends applying a little vaseline to the cut edges. This will create an air barrier and slow the decomposition process. You can also spray a mixture of water and bleach inside and outside of the pumpkin to kill bacteria and prevent mold. All you have to do is get started!
