LUBBOCK, TX (KLBK) – KLBK Meteorologist Leah Rodriguez offers tips to help pick and preserve your pumpkin.
We are officially in October and the fall season, but the summer temperatures have continued to stick around the South Plains. With everyone beginning to prep their homes for the spooky season, here are a few tips to ensure moldy pumpkins don’t scare away your guests.
Picking Your Pumpkin
If you haven’t made it to the pumpkin patch to find your Great Pumpkin, there is still plenty of time. Here’s a few pointers to bring home the best gourd:
Pick a pumpkin that hasn’t been stacked in a pile. Heat is generated when the pumpkins are packed together which could cause rotting.
Find a pumpkin that doesn’t have any bruises or scars. A pumpkin sitting in the shade is less likely to have gotten sunburned.
Make sure the stem stays attached. This helps the pumpkin last longer.
Your perfect pumpkin is out there waiting for you, but it’s also sitting out in this unpleasantly warm weather. We’ve had 90° temperatures almost every day since October began, which is about 30° above a pumpkin’s preferred temperature. The gourds store best when temps range from 50° to 60°. So, the sooner you pick up your pumpkin, the sooner you can begin preserving it for Halloween.
Prepping your Pumpkin
An uncarved pumpkin will last 2 to 3 months, but a carved pumpkin can only last a few days. However you decide to decorate your home, you should at least make sure to wash your pumpkin before displaying it.
Washing a pumpkin sounds absurd, but it kills any bacteria that would cause it to rot. To do this, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 gallon of water and wipe it onto the pumpkin. If it’s possible, you can also submerge your pumpkin in a container with the bleach mixture for an hour. If you prefer to avoid using bleach, you can mix 1 quart of water with 1 tablespoon of castile soap. Let the pumpkin dry outside, but don’t let the water pool too much at the bottom.
To keep your pumpkins looking fresh for your porch, there’s a bit of maintenance needed. • Spray at least once a week with a lemon-vinegar mixture: 1 quart of water with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. If your pumpkin is carved, spray this on the inside and outside. • Don’t let any liquids pool at the base of the pumpkin. • Make sure to keep the pumpkin out of direct sunlight. • While the days are still hot, consider moving your pumpkin inside or to the garage.
Carving your Pumpkin
If you choose to carve your pumpkin, know that it will only look good for a few days – after a week it will definitely look scary. Don’t let this keep you from picking your pumpkin soon. You can always leave it uncarved, and then begin carving it closer to Halloween. Once you have carved your jack-o-lantern, there are a few ways to make sure everyone enjoys your masterpiece.
Instead of cutting the top off, cut a hole from the bottom.
Spread the seeds outside for the birds and squirrels.
Spray the outside and inside with the lemon-vinegar mixture.
Once dry, spread petroleum jelly on all the cut areas and the inside. This will help the pumpkin retain its moisture.
Choose an LED candle or flashlight to light the inside of your jack-o-lantern.
Once you are finally done with your pumpkin, you can lay it out in your garden; it will still be able to add nutrients to your plants.
Don’t let the heat hold you back from enjoying the fall festivities. Another cold front is around the corner to bring another taste of fall!
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