How to Make Your Jack-O’-Lantern Last Longer This Halloween

(Mix 93-1) It's tradition for many families in Texas to create a Jack-O'-Lantern for Halloween. Looking through all the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch for that perfect one is just part of the fun. Whether it's tall and slender, short and squatty, or one with natural imperfections, they'll all make for a great carved pumpkin.

The Messy but Fun Part of Pumpkin Carving

Once you get it home, though, you've gotta clean it out. Cutting out all the seeds and guts is satisfying for some and totally disgusting for others because it's a rather slimy job. Once cleaned out, though, you have a fresh palette for you to display and utilize your pumpkin carving skills.

From simple triangle eyes, nose, and jagged mouth to an intricate design with a cat under a moon or a witch face of some kind, your Jack-O'-Lantern is going to be unique to you. Afterwards, you get to set it out on your front porch for all the trick-or-treaters to see.

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When to Carve Your Pumpkin for Best Results

This weekend will be a good time to carve a pumpkin, because once carved, they usually last and hold their shape for five to seven days, if you follow some simple steps. Keep it away from heat and out of direct sunlight.

Simple Tricks to Make Your Pumpkin Last Longer

If you'd like to hang on to it for a bit longer, or can't keep it out of direct sunlight, there are some things you can do to extend the life of that carved-up pumpkin. (Women's Day)

• Soak It - soak it in a bleach or vinegar solution for a few hours after carving it. Mix a tablespoon of bleach or vinegar for every gallon of water and soak it to help kill any mold spores that may be present.
• Seal The Cuts - rub petroleum jelly on the carved edges to retain moisture. This will help prevent it from drying out, curling up, and shriveling.
• Spray It - spray the exposed edges and cuts with WD-40 or a spray of equal parts water to white vinegar solution

Taking these steps may give you a few more days with your carved masterpiece, if you can keep the critters away from them. Squirrels, rabbits, and insects enjoy nibbling on carved pumpkins.

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What Causes Pumpkins to Rot Quickly

Other factors that will affect how long your pumpkins and Jack-O’-Lanterns last are:

• Freshnesss
• Weather
• Rain
• Sunlight
• Humidity

When you're at the pumpkin patch looking for the perfect one, look for one with firm, visible skin and no visible signs of damage or rot. Cold weather can make them mushy, while heat will deteriorate them quickly. Shelter it from any rain because this will also speed up its decay.

Make sure it's well ventilated to prevent mold growth because a humid pumpkin is a breeding ground for mold, and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Light Your Jack-O’-Lantern Safely

Finally, Southern Living suggests that if you're going to light your pumpkin, it's highly recommended to use a battery-operated candle, glow sticks, or a battery-operated flashlight of some kind, and never a candle of any kind.