How to Preserve a Carved Pumpkin

As Halloween approaches, many of us are eager to get out our pumpkin carving tool set that we purchased in the craft store or supermarket and begin carving basic to intricate designs into our pumpkins. Then we will proudly display our carved pumpkins on the porch or in the window, the subtle glow from the candle inside displaying our fine handiwork.

Then, just a few short days later, what was once a pristine pumpkin with our carved cat, bat, jack o'lantern, or other design, now resembles something more akin to a slowly withering vegetable with droopy artwork. Your pumpkin has begun to deteriorate, and if you've carved yours quite early in the month, it will certainly never last till Halloween.

It is a shame that many carved pumpkins must be thrown out shortly after the carving has been completed. The reason for this is because the moisture that helps to preserve the pumpkins in their natural state has dried up, and depending upon your environment, your carved pumpkins usually can only last anywhere from a day to a week after a carving.

But with these tips and ideas on how to preserve your pumpkins so that they last much longer, you'll be able to proudly point to your pumpkin with a smile on your face, perhaps mimicking the leering grin of your pumpkin smiling back.

Essentially, there are three ways you can preserve your pumpkin. The first and most common way is to use petroleum jelly to rub the insides and the carved section of your pumpkin. Vegetable oil can also be substituted for petroleum jelly. If you cannot get all of the inside area, do the best you can. You can put some petroleum jelly on a cloth to coat the insides of the pumpkin, helping to reduce the mess. Make sure to wipe away any excess if you plan on placing a candle into the pumpkin.

The petroleum jelly helps to seal in the pumpkin's moisture, thus retaining its shape and preventing the onset of mold and decay. Additionally, during the day, try to keep your carved pumpkins out of the sunlight, and in a relatively dry place.