How to Prepare Your Fresh Pumpkins So They Will Last the Fall Season

3 Materials
Easy
Have you had the problem like I used to have where your gorgeous pumpkins that you bought in September did not last till Halloween? They started to rot and become unsightly looking? I figured out a very simple 2-step process using three products. Two of the products you already have in your kitchen and the third product is a bit of a surprise.
Here is a pumpkin I purchased last year. It looked very fresh, very orange and very healthy when I bought it. This pumpkin as well as the other ones I purchased for the front porch stayed that way till the end of October using this treatment plan.
The first step in this 2-step process is to wash your pumpkins. Fill your kitchen sink with hot water, a couple of drops of dish soap and one cup of vinegar. Give each pumpkin a good scrubbing with a scrub brush. Dry each one with a dish towel and allow to thoroughly air dry before you go to the next step.
This step uses a surprising product and it really works. Several years ago my husband and I went on a kayak trip in an area called the Broken Islands located on the west side of Vancouver Island in Canada. We knew that we would be on water for much of the day and that we were going to an area where it rained a lot. So we weather protected all of our kayak and camping gear with Scotch Gard Water Shield. The spray can looked different at that time and the company has since updated the outside label.
I figured if it worked really well to protect everything for our kayak trip it should work very well to protect pumpkins. My theory proved to be correct. It provided a nice clear waxy coating that protected the pumpkin from moisture coming from rain, snow, frost or morning dew to get into the pumpkin. Two coats of Scotch Gard did the trick. These are the three products that will help preserve your pumpkins and keep them looking fresh, orange and healthy!
This is how the prepared pumpkins look on my front porch!


For more specific instructions and photographs I invite you to visit my blog Time With Thea. You will see the link at the end. You are also welcome to browse around the website for more autumn decorating ideas.
Suggested materials:
  • Dish soap   (grocery store)
  • Vinegar   (grocery store)
  • Scotch Gard Water Shield   (Walmart or similar type of store)
Time With Thea
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  • Ann Ann on Sep 18, 2016
    Will it stop the squirrels from munching? My pumpkins are always beautiful until Mr. Squirrel takes his first bite, then they rot. I have previously used vaseline mixed with cayenne pepper to deter the squirrels, but it is pretty messy (and I don't really like the idea of feeding the squirrels overly spiced food)!
  • Chi7445269 Chi7445269 on Sep 18, 2016
    I like to not only enjoy my pumpkin as a decoration, but ALSO to EAT IT as Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving. (I not only make all sorts of pumpkin recipes but also dry & eat the seeds.) So, my question: Would the waxing process interfere with my usual post-Halloween pumpkin plans? Thanks!
  • Erica Cloud Erica Cloud on Oct 07, 2016
    I cook my pumpkins and I would think this would not be possible with your scotch gard ?
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  • Katherine Katherine on Sep 19, 2016
    Can you still buy this scotch guard product? I thought it was taken off the market? I have a can that I bought when I thought I heard it was not going to be sold anymore. I should check the website.
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    • Time With Thea Time With Thea on Sep 20, 2016
      Yes Gerry. I bought mine at Walmart and I think Home Depot carries it too. Living in Canada we have a chain store called Canadian Tire that carries it as well.
  • RogerJennifer Luther RogerJennifer Luther on Nov 05, 2016
    I also carve pumpkins this way. It helps to rinse the inside and cut edges with bleach--keeps it from molding and you can rerinse or spray if mold starts to appear or if there is a long fall.
    • See 1 previous
    • JAN JAN on Feb 18, 2017
      You can coat with vaseline where you cut to help keep it from deteriorating as well.
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