Asked on Oct 07, 2018
How do I extend the shelf life of an uncarved pumpkin ?
by
Nit34095585
+7
I live in Florida and the shelf life for uncarved Pumpkins is dismal. How can I keep them from going rotten too fast! I keep them inside too, outside they would probably spew pumpkin seeds everywhere 🎃
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/prevent-carved-uncarved-pumpkins-from-rotting-0158208/
Dilute a tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water and clean the pumpkin with the solution. This will remove any bacteria and slow down the rotting process.
Set the pumpkins in a place that isn't in direct sunlight. Exposure to the sun will cause it to rot faster.
Hello, Pumpkin Fresh is specifically designed to prevent mold on your pumpkin, carved or whole. You can order it online or find it at your local pumpkin patch.
Same here where I live in Zone 9. My front porch faces west and too hot for real pumpkins. I always go after halloween to get the leftovers at bargain prices and use for Thanksgiving (hopefully), as it can still be quite warm here. Once they have been cut from the vine, they start to deteriorate unless the temperatures are quite cool. I have tried painting, using marine varnish, coconut oil, you name it, I have tried every trick in the book and every remedy I found on the Internet by googling, none of them ever worked for me. Unless you have a spare fridge to place them in and only set out for a few hours a day (even then, they dehydrate quickly), my vote is to invest in wood, ceramic, resin, plastic or any other DIY pumpkin decor to save yourself the heartbreak of a decaying real pumpkin - and the resulting, sticky gooey smelly mess.
The only "real" pumpkins are the mini gourd type that I use to decorate my office at work, they make it through Thanksgiving.
Carved pumpkins only last 4 days or so unless you soak them in bleach first, which only adds another couple of days. I suggest that you carve them no earlier than a week before Halloween. I've been told that placing silica gel packets (the kind that come inside new purses, shoes, and over the counter drugs) or rice in the bottom can help remove the moisture that makes the pumpkins start to rot.
Once your pumpkins do go, this is how I use the entire pumpkin to make puree, seeds and even compost. I know it doesn't answer your specific question, but for the next steps. Happy pumpkin season! Hugs, Holy
https://pinkfortitude.com/pumpkin-puree/