How to Keep Your Carved Pumpkins Alive in Lubbock

Spooky season means a lot to many people. For some it's the pumpkin spice... everything, for others its the costumes and parties. Me? I like watching people leave their rotting and decaying pumpkins outside on their porch for weeks into the new year for us all to see as we walk by.

What if I said there was a way to avoid that from happening as fast?

You're in luck! Everything Lubbock provided the city with ways in which we can preserve our gorgeous gourds to 'wow' our friends and neighbors well past their normal shelf life.

Choosing the Perfect Pumpkin

CRUCIAL first step. You don't want to pick out a pumpkin that is too big or too small, too squishy or too pale. You need one that's juuuuust right. Here are some tips to follow as you find your vegetable canvas:

• Avoid pumpkins stacked in a pile. This can cause some to heat up faster and increase rotting
• Pick one that is not baking in the sun all day and that doesn't have too many ugly blemishes
• Keep that stem attached! Not only is it a good natural handle but it also helps keep the gourd alive for a little longer

Prepping and Carving

Before you carve, try washing your pumpkin with a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach and 1 gallon of water to kill any bacteria. Keep it out of direct sunlight and bring it in for a sleepover if temperatures are too high.

Everything Lubbock concludes with steps for carving your perfect pumpkin:

1. Cut hole at bottom, not the top
2. After gutting, spread the seeds outside for wildlife to enjoy
3. Spray inside and out with a lemon-vinegar mixture
4. Lather the cut areas with petroleum jelly to retain moisture and slow the decay
5. Use an LED light for better glow inside your artwork's... face

There you have it: the perfect guide for exceptional pumpkin carving! You'll be the talk of the town while your pumpkins stand strong amidst the sad, deflated corpses on your neighbor's porch.

Take a look at some whacky carving ideas to pumpkin-spice up your Halloween decorations with this gallery 👇👇👇.