Although there's no way to make your carved pumpkins last FOREVER, you can still take a few steps to extend their life. Use these ingenious tips (plus 5 must-have products!) to love your carved pumpkins for longer.

Photo courtesy of BHG

You've scored the perfect pumpkin at the patch and carved the coolest design onto it (like a stencil of your dog), only for it to be rotted before Halloween week even starts. Now what? Don't let your precious pumpkin carving time and effort go to waste: Learn how to make your carved pumpkins last longer.

There are some precautions you can take to preserve your pumpkin before you even start carving, as well as care techniques to follow when you're finished to ensure that your pumpkin will be looking fresh until October 31.

Before You Start…

Let It Dry

When cleaning out your pumpkin, make sure that the inside is completely free of guts. Before taking carving tools to your pumpkin, let the cavity dry out; moisture inside the pumpkin, paired with more air exposure from cuts, will lead to faster rot.

Leave the Stem Alone

Cutting a hole in the top of your pumpkin (where the stem is) to empty its cavity may seem like the natural way to do it. However, cutting the stem off is actually unhealthy for the pumpkin—the stem serves as the pumpkin's lifeline, still delivering nutrients to the rest of the pumpkin (even off the vine!). Instead of cutting an opening around the top, cut one on the side or back of the pumpkin. That way, the stem stays attached.

Once It’s Carved…

Make a Pumpkin Spray

DIY a pumpkin spray to keep your jack-o'-lantern looking its best all season. Fill up an empty spray bottle with water and add one tablespoon of peppermint castile soap. Shake the bottle to mix contents and spray your carved pumpkin daily. Peppermint acts as a natural fungicide, which will slow down the decay process.

Avoid Candles

While a flickering candle inside your carved pumpkin is festive at night, it’s best to avoid fire in or near your pumpkin. The flame inside a pumpkin will cause the interior to dry out, causing it to rot faster. Instead, use a flickering battery-operated light.

Moisturize It

You may notice that when carved pumpkins begin to rot, the edges where they're cut are the first places to deteriorate. Rub petroleum jelly around the carved parts of the pumpkin to lock in moisture. If you don’t have petroleum jelly on hand, use olive oil or coconut oil.

Give It a Bath

Pumpkins resist heat, so shriveling is a good indication that your pumpkin needs a cold shock. Try giving it an ice bath for about an hour or leave it in the refrigerator overnight. This tip is especially important if you live in a region where Halloweens are warm and humid.

Keep Bugs Away

Keep fruit flies from eating away at your pumpkin. To do this, you need to first make sure that all pumpkin guts are removed, which is what the fruit flies desire. If you notice that these pesky insects are hanging around your pumpkin, place a fruit fly trap nearby.

I am personally not a fan of a (live) vegetable sitting around on anything. We don't do it for other holidays, why not setting a new tradition. I am thinking about all the fake pumpkins available today. Skip Amazon and head for the Dollar Store. It is loaded with fun items and, naturally, pumpkins. (Although, years ago, I did grow a yam near my carport window. It actually grew out the window and flowed down the carport wall. . . )

Using the largest pumpkin available (each store has a different selection!), create my Frankenbird (it was time for a makeover. . .) with a few tricks, you will have a decoration that will last for years to come.

First, some tips -

• Select a piece of fabric to match the pumpkin. My plan (yours may vary) is to create my embroidery and look like it is embroidered on the actual pumpkin. You can also use a transparent fabric wherein I would trim the design and glue it to framework. Another possibility would be to use a fabric that glows in the dark. With all these options, you could make a dozen and each would be different!
• Choose your thread colors for their sparkle and/or florescent qualities. There are glow-in-the-dark threads and using eight colors would make it really interesting. Since you will likely have faux candle lights on in the candy distribution center, place your project in a dimly lit area. Make sure your colors pop, this is no place for pastels.
  
• I actually did the outline with two threads, both in the needle at the same time. I was not going for a significant difference in colors, I chose a beige and a sparkling gold metallic to blend together. You may remember my blog on using two threads in a single needle sew. Your automatic threader may do the threading just fine, or dunk the two tails in water and finger press them together. 
  
• The outline for Frank is done in the 'Bean Stitch' aka the triple stitch. It should do a good job of making itself seen. However, if you like, you can rerun that color two times, consecutively, for a little more impact.