Pumpkin Carving Tips
Here at Bob's we offer a wide selection of pumpkins that are perfect for carving. This weekend set some spooky time aside to carve up the creepiest of Halloween decorations. Here are some tips to get the most out of your carving experience.
Pick Your Pumpkin
We tend to think of the classic round, smooth, and orange gourd, but there are tons of types to choose from. Big to small and round to oval is just the start. There's also colors like white, tans, and green. You can also pick out pumpkins with some crazy textures. Maybe a zombie carved from a green, bumpy pumpkin!
Top or Bottom
Traditionally, pumpkins are cut open around the stem to make a handy lid, and this might still be the way to go depending on your plans. However, cutting the opening at the bottom is the perfect option for a pumpkin you plan on lighting with an LED candle. (The safest option we have with modern technology.) Cutting out the bottom also allows for easier removal of the pulp and seeds. I recommend a sturdy, big metal spoon to get the job done.
Plan Your Work
Although you can go the freehand route, using a stencil is best for more intricate patterns. There are many options and ideas that you can easily find online. Just take care if you print out your pattern. Trying to transfer a pattern printed on a flat sheet of paper to a round pumpkin can be a bit tricky. Sometimes cutting the pattern into smaller pieces and matching it up on the pumpkin helps.
When it comes to making the actual marks on the pumpkin there are a few options. Permanent marker is for the brave, but a pencil will work fine too. Once you have the basic outline, you can mark it a bit better with a push pin to make a dotted line. Some carving kits also come with a little pointy wheel tool for making dotted lines.
Work Your Plan
Speaking of carving kits, they are a great way to go with getting started. Many come with a hand drill to make starting holes and a variety of saw to cut through the pumpkin. They are also designed to be kid friendly so the are just sharp enough to get the job done while being dull enough to be more forgiving.
However, if you want to go the adult route, break out the knives. Of course be careful, but a knife can make short work of a carving project. Have a need for speed? Break out the power tools! A drill and jigsaw can carve a basic Jack-O-Lantern insanely fast. Maybe you're a pumpkin Picasso? If that is the case, give carving with a Dremel tool a try.
Under Wraps
If your pumpkin project takes more than a day to carve, wrap it in some cling wrap and store it in the fridge overnight. This will keep it fresh and carvable a bit longer. You can also add some damp paper towels to the center to ensure it stays moist for carving.
After Halloween
Once they are carved, pumpkins have a pretty short shelf life before they turn into a moldy, ghoulish nightmare. The best way to grant them a useful afterlife is in the compost pile. At a time of the year when your compost bin might be bursting with dry, carbon-rich material, a pumpkin can offer a much needed dose of nutrients and moisture to keep your pile happy heading into the cold winter months.