How to Make Pumpkins Last Longer (for decoration or eating!)

I love decorating with real pumpkins in the Fall... and eating them, too. They can be tricky to preserve, but over the years I've learned some helpful tricks on how to make pumpkins last longer. Here are all my tips & how I've decorated my front porch this autumn.

Use these helpful tricks on how to make real pumpkins last longer, whether for decoration or for eating!

This blog post is part of a seasonal blog hop. Make sure to check out all of the other Fall outdoor decor ideas from my blogging friends linked at the bottom of this post!

In a similar fashion to last year, I hit up our local pumpkin farm and decorated our front porch with all of my favourite varieties. I love how the look on either side of our stairs with some Mums and lanterns sprinkled in.

This time, I kept the look on the neutral side using only soft green and white pumpkins with white Mums and greenery. It's definitely a softer feeling without the orange, but I love how elegant and calm it looks.

How to make pumpkins last longer

Whenever I share pumpkins on my porch for Fall, people always ask me how to make them last longer without rotting. I've learned a lot from our local pumpkin farm, Somerset Farms, so here are all my favourite pumpkin tips!

How to preserve with vinegar

Washing your pumpkins with something that helps remove any bacteria will help make them last longer. Over the years I've used a bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per 4 cups water), but lately I've been using a vinegar solution (about 1:10 vinegar to water) to wash mine. This is a food-safe version because we've realized we LOVE to eat them after we use them as decor! I place my pumpkins in a tub of water and vinegar, give them a good scrub and let them air-dry.

How to keep pumpkins fresh after picking

After your pumpkins are washed, you can leave them out in the sun to cure. Curing will harden the exterior of the pumpkin and help the insides stay fresh! You'll know a pumpkin is cured when its stem looks nice and dry and its skin feels hard.

How to keep them from rotting

To prevent pumpkins from turning into a rotten pile of mush, ensure you're never putting them directly on concrete. It's too cold! That's why I like to prop mine up on little wooden rounds or cork trivets. You also need to take pumpkins indoors before it frosts or snows. You can store them in a cool place inside with lots of airflow, and stored this way some varieties will last several months!

How to keep squirrels from eating pumpkins

Luckily, we haven't had this problem with our pumpkins because or Fall season is so short, but you can try using hairspray on them to repel squirrels. For a more food-safe option, try spraying them periodically with vinegar.

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