EXTENSION CORNER: How to carve your jack-o'-lantern and keep it looking spooky
There’s not a better “treat” than a beautiful, glowing jack-o'-lantern carved from a beautiful, Alabama grown pumpkin on Halloween. But have you ever faced the disappointing “trick” of a moldering, rotting pumpkin on your steps before all your ghosts and goblins head home from the festivities?
We have some crucial tips and recommendations to ensure that your carefully carved pumpkin lasts through the holiday and into the fall.
The first step to ensuring success on your jack-o'-lantern journey is pumpkin selection. Carefully look over your pumpkin and ensure that it is free of soft spots, cracks or bruises. All these blemishes could indicate that rot has already started, or that the pumpkin may not be healthy.
Before carving your pumpkin, wash it with soapy water and rinse thoroughly. You also can dip your pumpkin in a bucket of water with bleach for two minutes (1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water).
After you have carved your pumpkin, you need to keep it away from other plants that need watering since additional moisture can encourage rotting. In addition, your spooky pumpkin shares a vampire-like aversion to sunlight, which can cause the pumpkin to break down. Cool, shady spots with good air circulation will keep your Jack-O-Lantern in top shape.
Some final notes: Consider using a battery-operated light instead of candles. If your pumpkin starts to wilt, try soaking it in cold water. You can coat your pumpkin with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep the moisture inside its flesh.
If you have any questions about pumpkins or decorative gourds, or any other Extension programs, reach out or stop by our office at 3200-A W. Meighan Blvd. in Gadsden, call us at 256-547-7936 or visit us on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3otwUdl or online at https://bit.ly/3yniPCx.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! Please let us know if you have accessibility needs.
Eric Wright is extension coordinator for the Etowah County Extension Office.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: How to carve, preserve a Halloween jack-o'-lantern
