Keep Your Pumpkin Longer

Here's hoping you are enjoying a brisk cold weekend in the Southern Tier.  Driving around today, I notice a lot of families picking out their pumpkin today at various road side stands, stores and pumpkin farms.  My mom would always insist that my brother and sisters wait until the last minute to carve our pumpkins but now you don't have to wait, as I'll tell you how to make that Halloween pumpkin last longer.

First, you want to get the inside of your pumpkin as clean as possible by scraping as much pulp and seeds away.  Then I suggest you mix a couple of capfuls of bleach and water and place in your pumpkin and shake around to coat all sides of your pumpkin.  Blot  with a paper towel and you may carve your pumpkin if you like.

Your final step is to take the carved pumpkin and cover the inside with petroleum jelly.  Store brand works just as well.

Your pumpkin should last longer and this process will even keep away aggressive squirrels if you place your pumpkin outside.