Carved Pumpkins Rot Fast, Here’s How To Keep Yours Fresh Longer
(Lafayette, LA) - When riding through Lafayette before Halloween, how many times have you encountered a rotting pumpkin whose owner carved it too early? The decay after making a jack-o'-lantern happens so quickly that those who don't know the tips and tricks for preserving them will be sadly disappointed when they end up with a rotting, stinking mess.
I know all about this. When I was a kid, my mom was always great at timing things perfectly, so our jack-o'-lanterns stayed fresh through Halloween night. Once in my single days, I decided to carve my pumpkin early because I love Halloween. What a dumb, stupid, rookie move that was.
If you have done this, you understand exactly what I'm talking about. And hey, what's a Halloween celebration without a pumpkin carved into a jack-o'-lantern? Pumpkins add another layer of Halloween fun, but if you carve too early, you might be disappointed when it rots by October 31.
If you decide to carve your pumpkin early, consider how to prevent it from turning into a rotting mess on your front porch or in your garage. Mold and rot are the enemies of carving early.
How Long a Pumpkin Will Last Before It Rots
The Old Farmer's Almanac explains that a carved pumpkin will last only 3 days to a week after you put the knife into it. So, this begs the question, "Why do we do this anyway?"
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?
According to America Comes to Life, the practice comes from the Celtic people who lived in Western Europe centuries ago. Without pumpkins, the Celts would carve other types of gourds native to their area.
The Ancient Origins Of Pumpkin Carving
They carved them out and placed a candle inside to ward off evil spirits. It coincides with the end of the summer harvest.
The gourds also symbolized how the light inside would guide good spirits to the homes of people walking to and from the huge bonfires they built at the end of harvest. Check out this video for more detail.
How Did The Tradition of Carving Pumpkins Come to America?
As more people immigrated to America, they discovered pumpkins were larger than gourds, so they made great jack-o'-lanterns.
How The Jack-O’-Lantern Got Its Name
They are called Jack O'Lanterns because we carved them based on a folktale about a man named Jack who made a bargain with the devil, and his spirit roams the earth for all time. The story has so many details that you should read the version on the website HowStuffWorks.
Jack O'Lanterns Ward Off Evil Spirits
The Jack O'Lantern is supposed to ward off evil spirits, but the story goes deeper. This video provides an in-depth look at various topics.
What Can I Use To Preserve My Carved Pumpkin Longer?
Something you likely have in your toolbox, garage, or laundry room can help your pumpkin last longer after you carve it. This video offers some easy options.
When you want to carve up your pumpkin and enjoy it longer than just Halloween night, you have to worry about it getting moldy and caving in on itself. No one wants to experience that and hear their child cry!
Household Hacks To Save Your Pumpkin
You probably have these things in your kitchen cabinets or garage. Here are some simple tips to help your carved pumpkin last longer. Check out this video.
Using a battery-powered flameless candle is a simple way to preserve your pumpkin after you carve it. Those aren't the only tricks.
Other people also have their own hacks for preserving pumpkins after carving. HGTV Home offers some great suggestions to help you keep your carved pumpkin looking its best for as long as possible. You should check it out!
Pumpkin Preservation Myths vs. Facts
What's the point of trying these ideas if they don't work? If you're wondering, do these things work? See for yourself in this video.