How to Preserve a Carved Pumpkin in Southwest Florida

Tips to Make Your Creation Last Longer

Here in Southwest Florida, the weather is humid and still quite warm. With Halloween fast approaching and many carved pumpkins lining the doorsteps of residences everywhere, one might wonder how on earth to keep their masterpiece from shriveling up in a day or so.

I've been carving pumpkins for as long as I can remember. It's just been one of those favorite pastimes and a way to keep the Halloween spirit alive. From witches and monsters to skeletons and evil faces, my carvings range from intricate to simple. I've even been known to just paint the shell of the pumpkin just because I wanted the creation to last as long as possible. Although, we all know there's no better effect than a lit candle inside a divinely crafted carving.

Over the years I've tried many different techniques on how to preserve the freshness of my carved creations. As we all know, over the span of a few days, the pumpkins dry up, become disfigured, brown, and get moldy. I found that in the northern climates, carved pumpkins had a generally longer lifespan than in Southwest Florida. I did, however, discover a few ways to preserve your carved pumpkins so they last more than a day past Halloween.

I suppose the easiest (and laziest) way to preserve your pumpkin is to purchase a new product called Pumpkin Fresh. The liquid product comes in a spray bottle which makes for easy application. It is said to fight mold rot and decay using non-toxic and biodegradable components. Using the spray nightly can possibly preserve your pumpkin for up to two weeks, with minimal decay or disfigurement (but results will vary).

Another lesser known method of preservation is to coat the entire inside of your pumpkin with Vaseline (a.k.a petroleum jelly). Some say you can use vegetable or canola oil but this method is not recommended as both are not flame resistant and if you wish to insert a lit candle it is unsafe to do so. The Vaseline helps to lock in moisture and keep the pumpkin hydrated. I've found its best to spray the inside of the pumpkin with a water bottle first for added moisture and then apply the petroleum jelly as a sealant.