How To Preserve Your Jack O Lantern

So you are ready to choose that pumpkin. The one that will sit on your porch. The one that will greet all your guest on Halloween night. To make sure that your pumpkin stays looking good from the day you purchase til that great day make sure to follow some easy steps. 

• Start by selecting a healthy pumpkin Look for visible signs of aging, damage or disease. The best place to purchase is at your local pumpkin patch
• When carving your jack o'lantern use clean sharp tools and wash your hands prior to cutting the pumpkin to avoid transmitting bacteria
• Pulp accelerates the decomposition process. To avoid this remove as much pulp as possible from the pumpkin shell
• Soak your pumpkin before carving in a solution of water / bleach. This will slow the growth of bacteria and rot. An alternative would be a mixture of lemon juice / water. Spray this mixture on the pumpkin daily. Sprays can also be purchased at the store to do this same action
• Petroleum jelly or vegetable oil applied to areas with no pumpkin skin will help to seal your pumpkin and protect it 
• Jack O'lanterns do better outside than inside the reason is that pumpkins do better in cooler places. If you choose to keep your pumpkins indoors allow them to cool outside at night. Misting the pumpkin with water or soaking in water will ensure your pumpkin is hydrated