Carving Pumpkins
Fall and Halloween are just around the corner! It’s almost time to decorate the house in fake spider webs (or simply leave the REAL ones up), pick out a spooky costume and carve some pumpkins! Here are a few tips for aMAZEing Jack O’ Lanterns.
Tip 1. Choose the right pumpkin.
The right pumpkin has a flat bottom so that it doesn’t roll all over the front porch. Select a fresh pumpkin with a solid stem and no bruising. We grow several varieties of carving pumpkins including Orange Sunrise, Kratos, Gladiator and Early King. We also grow some really great white carving varieties including Polar Bear and New Moon.
Tip 2: Cut at an angle.
Have you ever cut the top off your pumpkin only to have to drop into the sticky, gooey mess? Avoid this nonsense by cutting your lid off at an angle.
Tip 3: Have the right tools.
One of the best tools for cutting the lid off a pumpkin is a keyhole saw. The sharp teeth on this saw can easily slice through a pumpkin’s thick shell, and the flexible blade is awesome for making curved cuts. Other useful carving tools include hole cutters, wood gauges and a power drill. Melon ballers or ice cream scoops are perfect for getting all that goopy pulp out.
Tip 4: Keep it fresh.
Nothing stinks more than spending oodles of time on a pumpkin only to have it rot away a few days later. To keep your carved masterpiece daisy fresh for Halloween, spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges. If it shrivels up, you can freshen it up by soaking it in cold water for up to 8 hours.
Visit us on Pinterest for loads of fun carving ideas!
Come on out to the farm this Fall for heaps of fun on the farm!
