5 Steps to Carving the Perfect Jack-O'-Lantern

There's a chilly wind blowing, and it's only a matter of time before Halloween is at our doorstep. If you're anything like our real estate agents, we have a feeling you're pretty excited about it! 

Pumpkin carving is one of our favorite traditions of the season, and we're here to share a bit of Jack-O'-Lantern know-how. Once you've picked out your pumpkins at one of these awesome local pumpkin patches near our South Bend homes for sale, use these tips and tricks to carve a perfect Jack-O'-Lantern. 

• Get a Pumpkin With a Stem
  If a pumpkin lacks a stem, that likely means that the stem has been broken off due to mishandling. That being the case, you don't know how banged-up and damaged the pumpkin might really be. Always choose one with a stem, so at least there's a better chance that it's in good shape.
  
  
• Start With a Plan
  Pumpkin carving isn't something you want to improvise. We've all done that and ended up with some pretty questionable results. A word of advice: get some paper and draw out the way you want your pumpkin to be carved ahead of time. Then you can trace the lines onto the pumpkin itself to make carving easier.
  
  
• Wear Rubber Gloves
  You're going to have to scoop out the goop from inside your pumpkin. There's really no getting around it. If you're like us and you find that kind of gross, invest in a pair of rubber gloves so you don't have to handle it.
  
  
• Get all the Guts Out
  On the subject of scooping, make sure you get all the seeds and pulp out of the inside of your pumpkin (like, really all of it). Anything that gets left behind will be the first thing to begin growing mold, and can cause your pumpkin to start breaking down sooner.
  
  
• Work Quickly
  You don't have to start carving a pumpkin as soon as you buy it. They can actually sit around for quite a long time intact. But once you get started, you have to finish the job soon because the pumpkin starts to decompose as soon as you peirce the skin. Don't rush your carving—safety with sharp objects is always paramount—but try to get the Jack-O'-Lantern finished in one sitting.
  
  
• Have Some Water Handy
  Pumpkins start to oxidize when they're cut open much like an apple or avocado does (albeit somewhat more slowly). You can reduce the rate of decomposition while you're working by having a spray bottle full of water on hand, and keeping the pumpkin moist while you work.
   
  Leave the Top On
  Removing the top of your pumpkin compromises its structural integrity. It also removes the stem, which acts as a lifeline to keep the pumpkin fresh even after it's been picked. A better option is to cut a hole in the back of the pumpkin, and use that to work through.
  
  
• Keep it Cool
  If it's still daylight out when you finish carving, put your Jack-O'-Lantern in the refrigerator. Warm temperatures speed up the breakdown of plant material, and you can make your pumpkin last longer by putting ou out only at night, and cooling it off in the fridge during the day. 

Here in South Bend, we're exited that Halloween is just around the corner! Contact us to learn more about life in South Bend, IN and talk to our team about finding your dream home today!