9 Tips For Preserving Pumpkins And Gourds To Last Longer
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Learn the best tips for preserving real pumpkins for fall decor! From washing with bleach to using a matte sealer, these simple techniques will keep your pumpkins looking fresher longer.
Do you love pumpkins? Me too! Keeping pumpkins looking their best and lasting longer is all about keeping them fresh and preserving them! With the right conditions, you can keep uncut pumpkins until Thanksgiving and carved pumpkins until Halloween! These tips work for gourds as well.
Choose Local Pumpkins If Possible
Lancaster County is pumpkin land in September and October. The fields are full of them, and big container-size boxes line the roads filled with these fall decor veggies to be picked up and shipped nationwide! If you live in an area with access to local or regional pumpkins, buy them locally—they are usually fresher!
I get my pumpkins from many local roadside stands and Amish markets, but my favorite place is right from our neighborhood Amish farm! They are so fresh, and I take them home, dirt and all!
Choose The Healthiest Pumpkins
Pumpkins are susceptible to all kinds of bacteria. Their skin is a protective barrier, so examine a pumpkin for scratches, holes, or gouges that compromise their skin and let in bad germs!
Also, check the stem. Make sure the area around them is firm and not soggy. A soggy stem base spells bad news. Mold will quickly grow around it, and your pumpkin will not last long.
If you see fuzzy strands of blue/green or black spots, leave the pumpkin and choose another!
How To Preserve Pumpkin
Giving your pumpkins a bath is a good idea to wash off any dirt or bacteria they picked up in the fields that will eventually cause them to develop mold and rot. If you do one thing to preserve pumpkins, this is it! Here’s how easy it is…
Best Way To Wash Pumpkins
1. Make The Pumpkin Wash: One gallon of warm water, a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and 1-2 TBS Clorox bleach.
2. Submerge The Pumpkins: Swish them around to loosen the dirt.
3. Soak The Pumpkins: Soak for about 30 minutes, moving them around occasionally.
4. Rinse The Pumpkins: Rinse and dry them completely before displaying them in your home.
Do this in a basin or your kitchen sink.
Other Quick Pumpkin Bath Tips
If you don’t want to clean your gourds with Clorox bleach, you can bathe them in warm, sudsy water using a squirt of dish soap and a few drops of peppermint oil, which also kills bacteria. You can also clean your pumpkins in a bath of three parts water to one part vinegar.
Be sure to gently clean the stems and where they connect to the pumpkin. Take extra care, as the stems are delicate and easily break off.
A Designer Secret For Preserving Pumpkins And Gourds
Spraying pumpkins with a matte sealer, a designer tip, helps protect them from moisture and mold to extend their freshness when used in fall decor. The sealer creates a protective barrier that slows down the natural rotting process, helping the pumpkins stay firm and looking great for longer.
It also helps to preserve their color and appearance by preventing them from drying out or cracking. Plus, the matte finish keeps them looking natural rather than shiny, which is perfect for a more rustic or authentic fall vibe!
Dunk A Carved Pumpkin
Carving a pumpkin is fun! But carved pumpkins tend to get dehydrated, filled with bacteria or mold, and rot quickly,To keep a carved pumpkin looking fresh and perky for longer, dunk it in a bucket filled with 1 tablespoon of Clorox for every gallon of water.
Completely submerge the pumpkin for 1 to 3 hours. Be sure to drain all the excess water from the inside, and your pumpkin will look great again! If it starts looking a little tired, just repeat the process!
Spritz A Pumpkin
If your pumpkins are outdoors, like on a front porch or back patio it’s especially important to use the tip below:
Use a spray bottle to spritz your pumpkins, inside and out, with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of Clorox bleach to 1 quart of water. This will help keep bacteria at bay and extend their freshness.
A word of caution: do not to spray anything around the pumpkins that could be damaged by the bleach solution!
Paint A Pumpkin
If your white pumpkins start turning yellow but still look good and feel firm, give them a quick coat of white chalk or acrylic paint. This will brighten them up and add a layer of protection! First, follow the bleach bath method mentioned above, making sure they’re completely dry before painting. It’s an easy way to refresh them and help them last longer!
SAVE THE STEM
Here’s a bonus tip…
Save Pumpkin Stems
Don’t toss out your pumpkins before saving their stems! Wait until the pumpkins are very soft, then apply pressure with your thumb where the stem meets the pumpkin. The stem should pop right off! If it doesn’t, simply cut it out. Let the stems dry completely, then store them in a paper bag. Next fall, remove the stems from your faux pumpkins and glue on the real ones for a more authentic look!
More Pumpkin Ideas
Pumpkins are an iconic symbol of autumn. Get more ideas for celebrating and decorating with pumpkins.
Happy Fall!
Hi Yvonne,
I’ve heard that a white vinegar water wash will provide the same benefit but is non-toxic. Bleach can kill bugs and bacteria but can also make any critters that decide to have a pumpkin snack very sick.
Have you ever tried a vinegar wash?
Loved your tissue decal on the pumpkin last week.
regards,
Max
No, I know vinegar is good for all kinds of things, though. Thanks for the tip.
Hi Yvonne Thanks for your idea of saving pumpkin stems. I can not wait for our pumpkins to dry so I can save the stems for next year.. Happy Fall
You are welcome.