How to Make Your Pumpkins Last Longer, Whether They're Carved or Not

Enjoy your gorgeous gourds all spooky-season long with a few simple steps.

Pumpkins have a long shelf life, but it’s not unlimited.

Ideally, you want your ornamental pumpkins to last through Halloween and, potentially, Thanksgiving.

The long lead-up to Halloweenbetween pumpkin picking and spooky Halloween decorationsis arguably the best part.

But prematurely carved pumpkins can fall prey to bugs, decay, and dehydration.

Aim tocarve your pumpkins a few days beforethe holiday.

However, stick to a ratio of 1 gallon of water to 1 teaspoon of bleach.

This step sterilizes and kills bacteria on the pumpkin’s exterior, slowing its decay.

If you opt not to carve your pumpkin, skip to Step 4.

Let the pumpkin dry fully before carving, and save theseeds for roasting!

Remember to soak the top!

Dry Thoroughly

Once thoroughly soaked, remove the pumpkin and let it air-dry on paper towels.

For maximum longevity, spray your pumpkin daily with the bleach solution.

This step helps to prevent your pumpkin from drying up and shriveling and limits the growth of bacteria.

If you run out of bleach, simply make more by mixing a few drops of bleach with water.

For starters, buy your pumpkins from a local store or pumpkin patch.

The pumpkins will be fresher and won’t have gone through the wear and tear of being shipped.

The ointment keeps moisture in and prevents the pumpkin from drying out and looking shriveled.

If your pumpkin starts to shrivel before you need it to shine, an ice-cold dunking can revive it.

First, remove any lights or electronics.

Next, submerge the pumpkin in an ice bath with a capful of bleach added.

This quick dip helps deter mold growth and miraculously brings pumpkins back from the dead.