How Do You Fix A Damaged Jack-O-Lantern? The 165 New Answer

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Carved pumpkins are susceptible to rot, but there are ways to ward them off.

At this time of year, when the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are beginning to fall, it’s tempting to carve a pumpkin in preparation for Halloween. Unfortunately, carved pumpkins don’t last. They look fine for up to five days, but then they begin to soften, collapse, and turn black with mold.

However, there are a few tricks to prolong the life of a jack-o’-lantern that might be worth trying this season. At least it’s an excuse to get a head start with this seasonal decoration. Here’s what you can do for sassy, ​​picturesque pumpkins.

1. Choose a good pumpkin to start with. Avoid any bruises, blemishes, and softness that could be entry points for bacteria. Buying locally ensures the pumpkin has traveled a shorter distance, minimizing bumps and bruising in transit.

2. Before carving, wash the pumpkin in soapy water to remove surface bacteria or mold.

3. Thoroughly clean the interior. The fewer threads and seeds and the drier the interior, the less attractive the environment for bacteria.

4. Disinfect the carved pumpkin. You can do this by spraying a castile soap solution inside and out. The Kitchn recommends using 1 tbsp Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap in 1 liter of water, but the soap can also be replaced with bleach or a combination of tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract.

5. Dry it upside down. Turn the carved pumpkin upside down without the lid to allow the liquid to drain. This reduces the risk of rotting. Apparently, opening silica packets and spreading the contents around the bottom of the gourd also helps keep moisture out.

6. Use vegetable oil on cut edges. Rub in the oil to lock in moisture and inhibit bacterial growth. Vaseline is another alternative, as long as the squash has been sprayed with bleach beforehand and can be painted on the inside as well. In this case, do not use a real candle inside.

7. Protect the pumpkin. Keep it in a covered place away from rain and direct sunlight. The colder it stays without freezing, the longer it lasts. You can put small ones in the fridge at night.

Please remember that the preservation of a jack-o’-lantern is purely aesthetic. Never eat a carved pumpkin!

Along with cats and broomsticks, carved pumpkins have become synonymous with Halloween. Crafting a jack-o’-lantern is no longer tied to the important task of protecting hearth and home. Instead, people compete to make the scariest or most artistic lantern. Seriously, check out some amazing carved pumpkin art on Pinterest.

Great pumpkins!

Children collect their sweet or sour treats in plastic pumpkin buckets. And for pumpkin-spiced drinks, you can’t shake a stick by mid-September.

But how on earth did a carved root vegetable or fruit become a universal symbol of an annual celebration? Let’s find out… Keep reading or press play to hear the Fabulous Folklore Podcast episode of this post!

Jack-o’-lantern and Miserly Jack

It is widely believed that the name “Jack o’ Lantern” comes from Stingy Jack, a character in Irish folklore. According to legend, Jack was a little trickster and enjoyed defeating people. After driving off most of his acquaintances with his deceitful behavior, he asked the devil to drink with him. Satan agreed and enjoyed a good squat as did the next man until Jack convinced him to turn into a coin to pay for the drinks.

Instead of using it to buy another round, Jack put it in his pocket next to a silver cross. This forced the devil to do Jack’s bidding and he was unable to transform back to his normal form until he promised to leave Jack alone for a year. He could not claim Jack’s soul if he died during that time.

The following year, the devil fell for another trick after Jack tricked him into climbing a tree. Jack carved a cross into the bark and only helped him down if the devil promised to leave him alone for ten years.

Jack gets his comeuppance

When Jack finally died, God would not let him into heaven to follow his scheming ways. True to his word, the devil could not take his soul either and forbade him to enter hell. He gave him a burning coal to mark Jack as a figure of the underworld. Condemned to wander the earth forever, Jack stuck his burning coal into a turnip to light his way. The ghostly figure became “Hans of the Lantern”.

A traditional jack-o’-lantern from the early 20th century. By Rannpháirtí anaithnid at English Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

People started carving faces into turnips and potatoes to scare off Stingy Jack (or other wandering spirits). Placing them in doors or windows seemed to do the trick. When the Irish and Scots brought the tradition to America, turnips seemed hard to come by. As a substitute, they found pumpkins to be an excellent choice for jack-o’-lanterns.

Kayla Hertz notes that “although the idea that the myth of the Jack-o-Lanterns is Irish is widespread, there is no scholarly research into Irish customs and mythology to support it” (2021). Patti Wigington points out that our Celtic ancestors would probably not give up the vegetable to carve, preferring to eat it instead.

Hertz also points out that turnip lanterns appear in English accounts of people in 18th-century Worcestershire carving similar lanterns out of turnips to ward off unwanted visitors. This was called “Hoberdy’s Lantern,” and these turnips had carved faces with a candle stub inside (Hertz 2021). Where they got the idea from is unclear, but who knows if anyone has heard original Irish folklore and liked the idea?

Pumpkin carving first appears in American records in 1837 as part of regular harvest celebrations. They didn’t appear in relation to Halloween until the late 19th century.

Other interpretations of the jack-o-lantern

Matt Soniak claims that the term originally referred to a night watchman, as early as 1663. Later, people associated the jack-o’-lantern with the will-o’-the-wisp. These are the strange lights that flicker over swamps and bogs. The will-o’-the-wisp dates from the 17th century. Its earliest use places it in East Anglia. I can’t find a definitive link, but I’m wondering if people believed that Stingy Jack and his lantern caused the spooky swamp lights.

The Irish brought the carved lanterns to America, where pumpkins were much easier to come by. Children would carry their lanterns onto swampy ground to scare people into believing Stingy Jack was abroad. Thus was born the connection between jack-o’-lanterns and pranks. Pumpkin carving first appears in American records in 1837 as part of regular harvest celebrations. They first appeared in the context of Halloween in the 1880s, when the lanterns were first called jack-o’-lanterns (Soniak 2018).

According to Movies and Mania, other theories suggest jack-o’-lanterns represent souls in purgatory (2014). Before the Reformation in England, it was believed that the soul resided in purgatory after death. Saying prayers for the soul helped them speed up the process. The poor often offered to pray for the dearly departed of wealthy families in exchange for food. On Halloween, they received soul cakes and created the trick-or-treating prototype.

Souling on Halloween. By Mary Mapes Dodge (Lifetime: 1905) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Church of England abandoned the concept of purgatory and saw that souls go straight to heaven or hell. I would be surprised if people carved turnips to represent souls in purgatory when the belief was less common in later centuries.

Some believe the jack-o’-lantern repelled the undead and its light was used to identify vampires.

Still other stories regard the lantern as a means of guiding the spirits of the dead home. These families placed a jack-o’-lantern in front of their home to guide the loved one’s home for the evening. As the veil between worlds is thinnest on Halloween, families welcomed their lost souls home. I can’t help but think these stories are confusing the jack-o’-lantern with the traditional Samhain candle in the window.

The Pumpkin and the Headless Horseman

The pumpkin also appears in Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In the story, schoolteacher Ichabod Crane is terrorized by the spirit of the Headless Horseman on his way home. The ghoul throws his head at Crane, knocking him off his horse. The next day, only Crane’s hat is found alongside the shattered remains of a pumpkin.

The Headless Horseman pursuing Ichabod Crane. By John Quidor [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Irving never mentions a carved face on the pumpkin. The reader assumes that Crane mistook the pumpkin in the dark for a head. Disney clearly added a grinning face to the pumpkin head in their 1949 adaptation of the story.

Some believe that American children were carving increasingly outlandish lanterns to play pranks on one another. Perhaps Irving was inspired by such mischievous jokes.

Growing Pumpkins

Instead of just buying pumpkins, you can always grow your own. You should plant pumpkins when the apple trees are in bloom. Because if you:

Plant pumpkin seeds in May

And they will all run away.

Plant pumpkin seeds in June

And they will come soon. Caroll 1998:407

Once you’ve scooped out the innards to make your lantern, what do you do with the innards? Make a pumpkin pie, of course.

Speaking of recipes, here are a few soul cake recipes as well if you want to trick-or-treat with something other than candy!

Beware Jack-O-Lantern!

So the next time you’re out at night on Halloween and see a light bobbing up and down in the distance… pay attention. It could just be Jack o’ Lantern wandering between worlds…

over to you! Carving a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween? Send photos of your best attempt in the comments below!

references

Carroll, William (1998), Superstitions: 10,000 You Really Need, San Marcos, CA: Coda Publications.

Hertz, Kayla (2021), “Original Irish Jack-o-Lanterns made of turns were really terrifying”, Irish Central, https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/jack-o-lantern-turnips-ireland.

Movies and Mania (2014), ‘Jack-O’-Lantern – Halloween Folklore and Tradition’, Movies and Mania, https://moviesandmania.com/2014/10/06/jack-o-lantern-halloween-folklore-and -Tradition/.

Soniak, Matt (2018), “What is the origin of jack-o-lanterns?”, Mental Floss, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/12865/whats-origin-jack-o-lanterns.

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Your carved pumpkin or Halloween jack-o’-lantern doesn’t have to rot or go moldy before Halloween! Here’s how to use chemistry to preserve a jack-o’-lantern so it lasts for weeks instead of days.

KEY FINDINGS While a squash can go weeks or months without rotting, the exposed flesh after carving is susceptible to rot.

Decay can be minimized by applying a disinfectant or preservative such as bleach, salt, or sugar.

A carved pumpkin can be sealed with oil or petroleum jelly to seal in moisture and minimize curling.

It is important to keep a carved pumpkin cool when not in use. Raising the temperature essentially incubates mold and bacteria.

How to preserve a carved pumpkin

Mix up a preservative solution for your carved pumpkin consisting of 2 teaspoons of household bleach per gallon of water. Fill a sink, bucket, or tub with enough bleach solution to completely submerge the carved jack-o-lantern. Immediately after carving, place the jack-o’-lantern in the bleach mixture. Soak the carved pumpkin for 8 hours or overnight. Remove the squash from the liquid and let it air dry. Spray the squash inside and out with a commercially available pumpkin preservative, or use your own mixture consisting of 1 teaspoon of bleach in water. Spray the squash once a day to prevent bacterial and mold growth. Smear petroleum jelly on all cut surfaces of the squash. This will prevent the squash from drying out and getting that wrinkled, shriveled look. Protect the jack-o’-lantern from the sun or rain, as one will dry out the pumpkin while the other will encourage mold growth. If possible, cool your jack-o’-lantern when it’s not in use.

This is how pumpkin preservation works

Bleach is diluted sodium hypochlorite, an oxidizing agent that kills microorganisms that break down the squash, including mold, fungus, and bacteria. You will have to reapply it as it loses its effectiveness fairly quickly. The petroleum jelly will seal in moisture to keep the jack-o’-lantern from drying out.

Now that you know how to keep it fresh, let’s make a scientific Halloween jack-o’-lantern.

More tips for preserving pumpkins

Nothing signals the true beginning of fall like putting up Halloween decorations. Whether you decorate your front door with colorful mums or you’re more of a spiderweb faux pas type, the one thing most Halloween and fall decor lovers will agree on is that pumpkins are necessary. But figuring out how to preserve pumpkins is a little trickier. Most people can relate to buying a squash too early in the season, only to have it wilt or fall apart by October 31st. And while this may add to the spooky vibes of the season, it’s not exactly the ideal aesthetic for most people. Luckily, though, there are a few different ways to ensure your pumpkins last all fall long—even if you live somewhere with warm temperatures.

So get that pumpkin patch visit on your calendar now, and while you’re at it, do some quick research on how you can prepare to preserve those pumpkins, too. It may seem like extra work, but in the long run it saves you the stress of having to run to the grocery store or farmer’s market and spend more money on pumpkins that look exactly like the ones you bought three weeks ago.

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From natural solutions to preservation methods you can do with products you already have at home, here’s how to preserve your jack-o’-lanterns this fall.

How to preserve the inside of a pumpkin

Because they are moist, exposed pumpkin casings begin to mold very quickly. Pumpkin Patches & More recommends cleaning the surface of the pumpkin and the inside with one teaspoon of bleach per quart of water. (Putting in a spray bottle makes it easier to apply the solution all over the squash.) This will sterilize the squash and kill any bacteria present. Let it dry completely before you start carving.

How to preserve a carved pumpkin with bleach

The bleach comes back into play after the carving and makes for a good clean. Submerge your creation in a bucket filled with water and 2/3 cup bleach. Let the squash soak there for up to 24 hours.

Give your pumpkin a bleach water bath after carving to make it last longer. Westend61 // Getty Images

How to use petroleum jelly to preserve a pumpkin

Apply to the carved edges as an extra layer of protection. This will keep them moist and prevent the edges from drying out too quickly. If you don’t have petroleum jelly, or vegetable oil will work too. But since all three are flammable, don’t put a candle in your pumpkin — use one instead. Also, don’t apply the jelly until you’ve cleaned the squash with bleach. Because the jelly locks in the moisture in the veggies, it will trap the bacteria with it if you don’t clean the squash first.

How to preserve pumpkins naturally without bleach

If you want to avoid using bleach or other options like petroleum jelly and WD-40 when preserving your squash, there are a few simple tips and tricks, from using ice to using your fridge. However, a lesser-known way to naturally preserve a carved pumpkin is with peppermint. As an article on A Few Shortcuts explains, all you need to do is dilute a tablespoon of peppermint essential oil in a quart of water. Then, pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of the carved pumpkin.

“Peppermint is a natural antifungal and slows the decomposition process, greatly extending the life of your squash,” the article continues.

How to prevent your pumpkin from shrinking

Pumpkins shrink because they run out of moisture. Mist it with water mixed with a few drops of bleach every day to keep it moist and ward off bacteria. For an even easier solution, spray it daily with a DIY pumpkin canning spray to fight mold.

When to put your squash in the fridge

When you’re not showing your jack-o’-lantern on your porch, put it in a plastic bag in your fridge. No room? Keep it in the basement (or another cool, dark area of ​​your home).

If you live in a warm climate, your pumpkins could rot faster. Getty Images

How to use ice to preserve a pumpkin

If you see your squash starting to wilt, give it an ice bath overnight to seriously rehydrate it. After taking it out, dry it thoroughly to avoid mold growth.

Why you shouldn’t use candles in a pumpkin

Using candles in your carved pumpkins can negatively affect them as the heat will essentially cook the pumpkin. Try a or instead.

What temperatures are bad for pumpkins?

Avoid leaving your squash outside in freezing temperatures. Ideally you want to put it somewhere with a temperature in the upper 50s to below 60s Fahrenheit. So if you’re in an area where freezing weather is likely during October, be sure to bring your pumpkins inside each night.

How to Preserve and Decorate Uncarved Pumpkins

We know that not carving your pumpkin sounds tragic. But an untouched pumpkin stays fresher longer than a carved one. Spraying WD-40 on the surface of an uncarved pumpkin will help keep it fresher for longer. For an alternative to pumpkin carving, try our favorite pumpkin painting and no-carve ideas.

How to preserve pumpkins with vinegar

Another natural way to preserve a squash is with the ever-helpful ingredient vinegar. As an article on Taste of Home explains, “To keep your pumpkins looking new all October long, simply fill a large tub with 10 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Let the gourds soak in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes, then remove and let air dry.”

Of course, this won’t keep the squashes forever, but it will help them stay fresh and new-looking for longer—no bleaching required. Besides, it is safe for pets or wild animals.

Marlisse Cepeda Web Editor Marlisse is the Web Editor of WomansDay.com and hails from Bronx, NY. She’s currently obsessed with newsblogging, Instagramming pretty much everything, and of course, Netflix (with wine).

Madison Alcedo Assistant Editor Madison Alcedo was an assistant editor at WomansDay.com and Redbookmag.com.

Nothing is more uncelebratory than a limp, rotting jack-o’-lantern on your porch. To make sure your trick-or-treaters can enjoy your pumpkin artwork until Halloween, we’ve rounded up some of the top tips for making Jack’s life just that little bit longer.

First, try not to carve too soon. The gourd is a fruit and once carved it is exposed to the air and speeds up the process of decay.

So wait as long as possible, especially if you live in regions with high humidity.

Also, make sure your squash is completely stripped of “guts” and seeds. Scrape the inside walls as thoroughly as possible to remove any filamentous material. The cleaner the pumpkin, the slower it will rot.

5 tips to keep your Jack-O-Lantern fresher for longer

After you’ve cleaned and carved your pumpkin:

Fill a spray bottle with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per quart of water. Spray the inside and cut surfaces generously, absorb and let dry. This formula is designed to kill surface bacteria and mold that can cause rot. Another method is to lightly mist the inside of the cut with a solution of 1 tablespoon of peppermint castile soap in a quart of water. Peppermint is a natural antifungal and slows down the putrefaction process. (Use either spray method #1 or #2, not both). Apply petroleum jelly or olive oil to the cut surfaces to prevent drying out over time. Spraying the cut surfaces with hairspray can also slow down the decomposition process. Products designed for anti-humidity work really well. Instead of cutting the stem out of the top of the pumpkin to be carved, cut the hole in the bottom of the pumpkin and remove the piece. Then simply place the clean, carved pumpkin on top of a candle or solar lamp. Not only does this method make the candles easier to light, but it allows moisture to escape instead of pooling at the bottom of the gourd, speeding up the rotting process (see bonus tip below). Bonus: You can also cut a circular hole in the back (keep the piece). Make it big enough for you to clean and carve your design, then just stick a candle or solar light through the hole (replace the piece with a toothpick). Removing the top deprives the fruit of nutrients, causing them to dry out more quickly, and cutting off the bottom can create a mess, as squashes shed a lot of water after cutting.

Freelance writer Beth Herman was consulted for this story.

How long does a pumpkin last?

Enlarge image toggle caption Tony Dejak/AP Pumpkin buyers should be on the lookout for a pumpkin that still has a solid stalk or stalk attached. 15-month-old Lucy Myers searches for a pumpkin October 18 at Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland, Ohio. Tony Dejak/AP

It’s the pumpkins moment in the spotlight. They’re everywhere, breaking records, letting master carvers transform them, working side-by-side as cameras, and even ending up in the bowls of lucky dogs.

That’s all well and good, but some of us could use some pumpkin basics. For example, we were curious how long a pumpkin can last, carved or uncarved?

Steve Reiners, a gardener at Cornell University, says it depends on the condition of the squash and the weather.

“If the squash was healthy when picked and disease has been controlled in the field, the squash can last 8 to 12 weeks,” he says via email. He adds that jack-o’-lanterns don’t fare that well: they last five to 10 days.

The best storage temperature for pumpkins is between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, he says. But cold weather can affect a pumpkin’s lifespan. A little light frost may cause a slight discoloration; but the squash doesn’t fare well when the temperature drops below freezing.

“Freezing temperatures damage plant cells just like any living organism,” he says. “If the squash actually freezes, the skin can soften after reheating, which can open it up to… rot.”

But where freezing can be handy is to preserve the pumpkin flesh. The University of Nebraska has a bunch of good tips on how to get out the nutritious meat and what to do with it.

When looking for a gourd, Reiners says it’s important to find one with a solid stem or handle that’s still attached. “That’s a good indicator of how healthy it is,” he says. If the stalk is rubbery and weak, “rotting organisms are likely to soften the squash quickly.” But once you find a firm stalk, be careful – it’s better to carry the pumpkin around the fruit.

Once the carving begins, leave the handle on, experts say. It still provides the squash with some nutrients that will keep it nice and orange for a few more days.

According to Reiners, there are more than 200 varieties of Halloween pumpkins — ranging from one pound to 150 pounds — in the species Cucurbita pepo. And some squashes of the related species Cucurbita maxima can also be considered gourds. (Read more about cooking with newer varieties of squash in Bonny Wolf’s article for last year’s Kitchen Window.)

But Reiners says he won’t be buying any pumpkins, big or small, this year. One benefit of knowing so much about pumpkins is that you can usually find a way to get them for free.

Carving pumpkins and presenting them outdoors is just as much a part of Halloween as setting up scarecrows and choosing costumes. But the project is not without its pitfalls. While it’s fun to continue the time-honoured practice of making your own jack-o’-lanterns in the fall, it’s best to learn a few safety tips first to ensure a happy and healthy Halloween for everyone.

First safety precautions

Jack-o’-lantern carving is a messy business, as you have to scoop out all of the pumpkin’s flesh and seeds. So plan to work outside. Set up a temporary workspace, e.g. B. an outdoor table covered with newspapers or planks over sawhorses, preferably on the lawn. Pumpkin Meat can be slippery on driveways, decks, and similar surfaces, so working over grass is best for traction in case you drop something.

Gather your supplies when setting up your workspace. For carving, you’ll need a marking tool to sketch your design, thick gloves to protect your hands, a kitchen knife, a precision knife (such as from X-ACTO), and a garden trowel or large spoon to scoop the pumpkin Offal. Always watch your cutting tools. Do not leave them lying around where children or pets could bump into them and injure themselves.

Carve pumpkins

Before cutting, draw the lines of the jack-o-lantern pattern you want to create, as well as markings around the top to make the jack-o-lantern lid. Marking everything ahead of time should help you keep a steady hand as you cut as you have a guide to follow. To cut out the lid, hold your kitchen knife at a 45 degree angle. This creates a lid that is less likely to fall through the hole in the squash once it begins to dry out and lose bulk. Work slowly and carefully with your knife, following your lines. Be careful not to get a pumpkin on your clothes.

Then remove the lid and put it in a safe place. Continue removing the pulp and seeds from the squash with your ladle or spoon. Set the innards aside in a container or bag and make sure your hands are clean and not slippery with the pulp before you start cutting your jack-o-lantern design. For intricate parts of the design, use your precision knife to score the cuts. Then use your kitchen knife — or even a flathead screwdriver — to cut out the squash pieces. Do not attempt to “saw” with your knife as this may cause the knife to slip and cause an accident. Just use a series of careful jabs.

Illuminating carved gourds

Candles were traditionally used to light jack-o’-lanterns. But the open flame of a candle poses a fire hazard. If you still want to use candles, you need to take some safety precautions. Be thorough in your leaf removal efforts so there is less combustible material nearby to catch fire. Never leave jack-o’-lanterns unattended. And keep them out of the reach of trick-or-treaters, including long, flowing costumes.

A safer option for lighting jack-o’-lanterns is to use glow sticks, which are available at most party supply stores. With glow sticks there are no flames, cords or batteries to worry about and they are waterproof.

Viewing jack-o’-lanterns

Jack-o’-lanterns are often displayed near doorways, but doing so can unknowingly invite rodents and insects into the home, as these pests are attracted to the pumpkins’ exposed soft inner flesh. So it’s best to place the jack-o’-lanterns a few feet away from an entry point and make sure any nearby cracks or gaps that might lead into your home are sealed.

Additionally, when carved pumpkins begin to rot or animals begin to eat them, the pieces could become a slip or trip hazard. Monitor your squash daily and discard it once it is no longer looking its best. You can toss it in the compost bin for quick and easy removal.

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Creative Director shares tips on picking, carving, and preserving your pumpkins.

Each fall, more than 130,000 people flock to Sleepy Hollow Country to see The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, where over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins light up the night through October and November.

We caught up with the creative director of the mammoth event, New Jersey native Michael Natiello, for some expert advice on creating amazing carvings at home. Here are the pumpkin carving master’s top tips:

1. Choose the right pumpkin

When choosing your pumpkin, look for one that is not bruised, evenly colored, and not moldy or rotten. Check the soil for rot and tap gently to hear a firm, hollow sound. The lighter the skin of the pumpkin, the softer the pumpkin will be and easier to carve. Note, however, that light-skinned pumpkins may not last as long after carving. Choose a squash with a smooth, flat surface and few flat ridges. And please never carry your pumpkin by the stick.

2. Prepare your squash

Choose a pumpkin that best suits your intended pattern or design, or choose a design that complements your pumpkin! Start by washing and drying the squash, then cut a hole in the bottom to scoop out the guts. Scrape the inner flesh clean and smooth until it’s about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Transfer your pattern to the chosen side or draw your pattern directly onto the pumpkin.

3. Carve your pumpkin using the cut-out method

This is the traditional method of carving a pumpkin, in which shapes are cut out of the flesh, allowing light to shine through. Hold your cutting tool perpendicular to the surface, using gentle sawing motions, start cutting in the center and work outwards. To keep the structure of your squash healthy, have the large areas trimmed out last and cut into smaller pieces for easier removal. When working on corners or changing directions, remove the carving tool and reinsert it in the new direction. If there are any parts that are difficult to remove, try to push them out from the inside towards you instead of poking them. To refine your design, place a candle in the pumpkin, turn off the light, and make the final adjustments.

4. View your creation

Once the carving is complete, wash under cold water and cut a vent or chimney in the back of the pumpkin.

To prevent shrinking or drying out, coat all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or commercial pumpkin preservatives, and store the plastic-wrapped pumpkin in a cool place when not in use.

Don’t worry if something goes wrong. We’ve also got the scoop on how to fix your most common pumpkin problems!

1. Repairing fragments

To mend broken areas or repair areas accidentally cut off during the carving process, use toothpicks, pins, or staples to reattach. If necessary, patch any damaged area with a piece of pumpkin flesh.

2. Rehydrate a shriveled pumpkin

Soak your squash in a tub of water overnight. Dry it before displaying it again.

3. Prevention of mold growth

Soak your squash in a solution of water with 10% bleach. Dry it before displaying it again.

4. Scare off animals

To discourage animals from eating pumpkins, spray the pumpkins with commercial deterrents, garlic spray, hot pepper, or sprinkle the area with human hair.

Want to see more of Michael’s incredible work? Secure tickets today for The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, about 30 minutes from northern New Jersey.

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