Here's How Long Carved Pumpkins Last—Plus When to Buy and Carve

Try these tips and advice from pumpkin pros so your jack-o'-lantern will look fresh on the big night.

“Look for a large pumpkin, heavy for its size, with unblemished skin,” Evan says.

And be sure to avoid the telltale sign of an older pumpkin: a dry, brittle stem.

Instead, look for a fresh, green stem about 3 to 5 inches long.

The best test is to press your fingernail into the flesh.

“Be sure to check the bottom of the pumpkin, too,” Perreault adds.

How you store your pumpkin will help determine how long it lasts.

“Anywhere with a temperature around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.”

When to Carve Pumpkins

So, how long before All Hallows' Eve should youcarve a pumpkin?

The later, the better.

“Carve no more than three days before Halloween,” Evan recommends.

Carve too early, and your pumpkin will scare off trick-or-treaters with its rotten teeth!

Carving pumpkins is a sure way to speed up the decaying process.

Carved pumpkins last from a few days to two weeks.

The temperature where you live will determine how long your pumpkins last.

If warm weather is expected, carved pumpkins may only look good for about one week.

With cooler temperatures, they may last longer (even without preventative measures).

you’re free to alwayshelp your pumpkin last longerwith a few tricks.

One of the reasons that pumpkins decompose is exposure to bacteria and mold spores.

Whichever solution you choose, let it mostly dry on your pumpkin and just wipe off any excess.

Repeat the process every three days to keep the pumpkin protected.

Loss of moisture is another key reason that pumpkins decompose, and petroleum jelly has moisturizing properties.

Pumpkins are naturally moist on the inside.

A lack of moisture from being carved will cause them to start shriveling up and rotting.

Additionally, this same moisture promotes fungi growth.

Finally, carved pumpkins attract pests that feed on them, causing faster decay.

Without a doubt, uncarved pumpkins last longer than their carved counterparts.

Uncarved pumpkins can last two to three months if kept out of the sun or freezing weather.

Try thispumpkin carving hacknext time: Cut out the back or bottom instead of the top.

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