If you're keen on getting into the Halloween mood this year with some pumpkin carving, you might want to know the optimal time for etching out those ghoulish faces.
Joshua Houston, a home decoration specialist at Household Quotes, has pinpointed the ideal date for carving your spooky designs to maximise the life of your pumpkin displays this season, and there's no need to hold off until Halloween night. He said: "Surprisingly, pumpkins can last anywhere between eight to twelve weeks, this means you can start planning your pumpkin-picking trip now.
"However, when it comes to carving the pumpkins you must wait until closer to the time. This is because an open pumpkin will begin to rot and mould will build up (which would be truly terrifying). Aim to carve your pumpkin from October 26 onwards, this will ensure that it won't be rotten come Halloween night."
Joshua also provided insight into selecting the perfect pumpkin for your artistic creations. The decoration guru stressed looking for blemishes or damage which could spell early decay, reports the Mirror.
Furthermore, he advised checking the firmness; a softer feel may mean it is overripe. He added: "Hard pumpkins will last longer as one being soft is a sign that it's already beginning to rot."
And for an extra pro tip? Joshua suggests eying a pumpkin with a green stem, indicating it is less ripe and will remain fresh longer.
Offering some guidance on the size of your chosen pumpkin, he said: "The size of your pumpkin should relate to your carving ability. Smaller ones are harder, so if you aren't as crafty then maybe you should go big. This will give you more space to make the perfect creation."
Joshua further commented: "Halloween is some people's favourite time of the year, they love scary movies, along with the cold cosy nights. Pumpkin carving is a big part of the history, it's great fun for couples and families. Just make sure to be careful with those knives, the last thing you want is a trip to AandE when you should be preparing for Halloween night."
