Halloween is creeping in closer each day! Are you going to decorate your porch with jack-o-lanterns? Pumpkins are one of the best parts of Halloween. Now, who is going to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin to carve? Do you know how to find the best pumpkin for carving?
Tips for Finding the Best Pumpkin for Carving
The cooler weather, fresh air, and the big search for the perfect pumpkin is a great family-friendly activity. Bundle up warm and remember the following tips for finding the best pumpkin for carving.
Color
One of the easiest ways to find the perfect pumpkin to turn into a jack-o-lantern is color. When searching the pumpkin patch, look for a deep, orange color. The deep orange hue signifies the ripeness of the pumpkin.
The Thump Test
Yes, there really is a reason people knock on pumpkins. A hollow sounding pumpkin is ripe. Pick up and your pumpkin and knock on the side a couple of times. Listen carefully for a deep hollow sound when you tap the pumpkin with your knuckles. If your first pumpkin pick did not pass the thump test, keep looking.
Check Your Pumpkin Over
Next feel your pumpkin over for bad spots. If a pumpkin is beginning to decay, dark spots or bruises may be noticeable. Press in on questionable areas. Search for scratches or other imperfections.
The sturdiness of the pumpkin is essential. Using your thumbs, test the bottom of the pumpkin for firmness. A mushy pumpkin will not last until Halloween night. Try to find a pumpkin without any blemishes.
Cradle Your Pumpkin
Avoid picking your pumpkin up by the stem. If you break the stem, the pumpkin will decay at a faster rate. A firm, secure stem means a sturdy pumpkin.
Heading out to the pumpkin patch for your perfect choice is a great Halloween tradition. When searching, take your time. Enjoying the atmosphere is part of October fun.
Rebecca's Country Notes 