Pumpkin Preservation: Tips to Keep Your Gourds Fresh Through Thanksgiving

Handle with Care

When it comes to pumpkins, less handling is more. The natural oils on your hands can actually speed up the rotting process, so try to touch your pumpkins only when you need to move or arrange them.

Avoid gripping too tightly or scraping the surface. Small scratches and bruises can quickly turn into soft spots. Once your pumpkin is in its seasonal spot, let it rest and enjoy the view!

Location Is Key

Pumpkins prefer cool, shaded, and dry conditions. Too much direct sunlight or moisture can cause early decay. A covered porch, patio, or shaded step is the perfect place for them to thrive through the fall season.

Give Them a Bath

It may sound funny, but a quick bath can go a long way in preserving your pumpkins. Mix one part bleach to ten parts water in a large container, then soak your pumpkins for about two minutes. This helps kill surface bacteria and mold spores that can lead to rot.

Let them dry completely before displaying. For extra protection, you can also mist them every few days with the same bleach-and-water mix to keep mold at bay.

Keep Them Elevated

Pumpkins sitting directly on the ground can attract pests and trap moisture underneath, which leads to faster decay. Keep them lifted on a ledge, crate, or hay bale to improve airflow and deter curious critters. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference and adds to that fall charm!

Wait to Carve

If you’re planning to carve your pumpkins, patience pays off. Once the inside is exposed to air, the clock starts ticking toward rot. Try to hold off on carving until just before Halloween to keep your jack-o’-lanterns looking their best.

With a little care and attention, your pumpkins can stay fresh, firm, and festive well into Thanksgiving. Whether they’re part of your porch décor or the centerpiece of your fall display, these preservation tips will help your gourds last all season long.

~ Happy Fall from all of us at ProGrass!