5 Tips For Finding The Best Pumpkin

Family in a pumpkin patchFall comes with numerous fun seasonal traditions. When you’re looking for the perfect orange vegetable to carve into, it can be hard to choose which one. Lucky for you, there are five tips below fofinding the best pumpkin this season.  

Picking a Pumpkin for Carving

Picking a pumpkin for carving is important. Whether you venture out to a pumpkin patch or find one strolling through your local grocery store produce section, it’s always exciting to find your perfect pumpkin. Here are some tips on what to look for.  

Make sure your pumpkin has that deep fall orange color. Take your knuckles and give the pumpkin a good “knock, knock” to check if it is hollow, or ripe. You never want the bottom of your pumpkin to be mushy, so make sure it is flat and firm. Remember to never pick a pumpkin up from the stem because it may break. Be sure to check that the stem is firm and secure though. Lastly, you’ll want to steer clear of any pumpkins that look bruised and look for a smooth surface good enough to carve your desired face.  

Harvesting Your Own Pumpkin

Maybe you grew your own pumpkins this Halloween. If that’s the case, know how and when to harvest them correctly.  

Harvest your pumpkins as they mature. If you desire smaller pumpkins, plant a smaller variety because you shouldn’t pick pumpkins off of the vine just when they reach your desired size. You’ll want to harvest on a dry day when the skin is hard. Leaving a couple of inches of stem on the orange veggies will slow the decaying process. If you need more tips check out this free pumpkin growing guide.  

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Carving the Pumpkin

Picking a large pumpkin will make it easier when you start carving, but you can always pick up some smaller ones for decoration too. Bumps and warts can also add some fun to the mix! 

Make sure you lay down newspaper before you start carving for an easy clean up. When you’re ready to start carving, see these simple pumpkin carving tips and tricks. Not sure what to do with the pumpkin remains? There are plenty of great pumpkin recipes to use.  

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