Pumpkins are a big hit this time of year and people have come up with some really creative ways to use them. Probably the biggest concern, especially if the weather is still warm in your area, is how to make pumpkins last longer. The truth is you might have to replace them between now and Halloween although keeping them whole will make them last longer.
By not carving your pumpkins just yet, you won’t have to worry about them decaying so soon. It’s also a good idea to place them where they get at least some shade during the day. Sitting where the sun beats down on them for hours on end, will make them deteriorate faster.
You can also preserve pumpkins with a clear coat of paint or a mixture of white glue and water. While this won’t make them last forever, it will help them stay looking better longer.
Even if you want to carve pumpkins for Halloween or Harvest celebrations, you can use them “as is” for now, or simply draw faces on them for now, and carve them as the occasion gets closer.
Keeping leaves supple is also a good way to ensure that your decorations look better and last longer. And, if your weather is turning cold, you might consider making fall arrangement in large planters or portable flower boxes that you can bring indoors at night.
My kids are getting excited and they came home with two very large pumpkins yesterday, ready to carve. The high is supposed to be 87 degrees today, so I talked them into waiting (since they bought pumpkins with their own spending money and I don’t want them to go to waste). Today, they plan to pick up some smaller ones and gourds to go with them for a festive arrangement.
I had to laugh when my youngest reluctantly agreed then turned and told her pumpkin, “You will be a jack-o-lantern by Halloween!”
Decorating for Halloween or Harvest Day