How to preserve pumpkins for months

Do you want to learn how to make your pumpkins last longer even months? Here are a few tips on how I preserve pumpkins for months.

Pumpkin season is here, and I love using pumpkins to create festive decor for cozy fall vibes. One thing that can quickly ruin the spirit of this fall vibe is a pumpkin that rots before the season is over. Whether you are carving jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween or displaying pumpkins as part of your fall decorations on your porch as I do, preserving them to last the whole season is essential.

One of my favorite fall projects was my pumpkin flower arrangement.

Pumpkins can be very expensive, especially the heirloom ones, so I want to keep them lasting for a long time. Are you with me on this?

We discovered a farm in New Jersey that has such a great selection of pumpkins and mums at great prices. We go there and load up our truck with all the pumpkins for the season, their selections and prices are great compared to our local stores. But it’s an hour away from home so I want to make sure the pumpkins last, so I don’t have to replace them before the season is over.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to preserve the pumpkins, both carved and uncarved.

Why do pumpkins rot?

Before we dive into how to preserve pumpkins, let’s understand why they rot. Pumpkins are about 90% water, which can make them vulnerable to mold, decay, and drying out easily.

Once you cut into a pumpkin, its shelf life drastically decreases because the oxygen, bacteria, and moisture start to break down the flesh. That’s why carved pumpkins don’t last as long as pumpkins that are not carved. You can still minimize the decaying process on a carved pumpkin by taking a few steps to prevent it.

So let’s slow down the decaying process and go over the method to preserve the pumpkins to last the season.

Things you will need to make your pumpkins last

Scrub pad or rag

Paper towels

Water

Bleach or vinegar if you don’t want to deal with the smell of bleach.

Sink or a big plastic tub to fill with water

Clear flex seal spray or Rustoleum clear sealer spray

How to clean and disinfect your pumpkins

The first step is to trim away any rotten or moldy parts of the stem if there are any. This will prevent mold from growing and rotting the pumpkin.

Gently clean the pumpkin well, and remove all the dirt and debris that can harbor bacteria and fungi. Be careful not to scrub too hard as to damage the skin. Use a solution of one part bleach and ten parts water to wipe down the pumpkins to kill any lingering bacteria.

Give them a bleach bath

After the pumpkins are cleaned thoroughly, I took extra steps to give them a bleach bath which can help to preserve them for months.

Here’s how to do it:

Fill a large bucket or sink with one gallon of water and about 1/4 cup of bleach.

Submerge the pumpkins in the solution and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. This will rid of any bacteria and fungi that are lingering on the surface of the pumpkin.

I removed the pumpkins from the sink and dried the exterior with a paper towel. Then let them completely dry for at least 30 minutes before displaying them in the setting.

I use Flex Seal on most of my outdoor accessories to prevent damage from rain and other elements. It creates a rubberized coating on the surface to prevent moisture from penetrating. Since I had an extra can, I used it to seal the pumpkins. However, many people also use clear Rustoleum spray to seal the pumpkins, which works well too.

Evenly coat the pumpkins thoroughly to prevent bacteria from getting inside. First I sprayed the top half and waited for it to dry for about half an hour and then sprayed the bottom and let it dry. I made sure to coat the stems and gave extra spray to any areas that had any blemishes or knicks.

By taking the time to clean, dry, and protect your pumpkins from moisture and bacteria, you’ll keep them looking fresh for months.

Now you’re ready to unleash your creativity with pumpkins and gourds that will last the entire fall season.

Happy pumpkin preserving!