Choosing the Perfect Pumpkin
It’s almost Halloween and that means it’s time carve your pumpkins! You’ll likely want to begin by choosing the perfect pumpkin but you may want to think ahead about the design you’ll want to carve into your pumpkin. (TIP) Bring your design template with you when you go pumpkin picking to ensure that it will fit perfectly on your pumpkin.
When you visit the pumpkin patch at Donaldson Farms you’ll find pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and even textures. The perfect pumpkin isn’t necessarily perfectly round – be open to funky shapes and sizes and even a few warts for added character! (TIP) Look for a pumpkin that is free of blemishes, bruises, and soft spots. You’ll also want to be sure that your pumpkin is able to sit on a flat surface.
You’ll want to choose a healthy pumpkin so that it will last through the Halloween holiday. Donaldson Farms pumpkin patch offers the option to cut your pumpkin directly from the vine which ensures that your pumpkin is as fresh as it gets and that your pumpkin’s stem will be strong and healthy. (We’ll tell you later why a healthy pumpkin stem is important.)
Pumpkin Carving Designs
You may have already picked your pumpkin carving design, but if you haven’t, take some time to browse online where you’ll find endless carving ideas. Pumpkin carving designs don’t have to be faces – you can create an animal, natural elements like flowers or trees, your name/initials, moon/stars, haunted house, ghost, cartoon or movie character, or just a random beautiful design. Be ready to commit for the long haul if you’re planning to create your very own Picasso! (TIP) Choose a carving pattern that matches the time you have to devote to your carving. Intricate designs can require hours and hours of work.
(TIP) Trace your carving design on your pumpkin using sewing tracing paper and/or tape or pin your design to your pumpkin to help guide you.
Preparing to Carve Your Pumpkin
It’s recommended to wait until a minimum of one week before Halloween to carve your pumpkin if you live in New Jersey or an area with cooler temps. Wait longer if you’re experiencing a warm-weather trend.
Gather all of your carving supplies before getting started so that you can stay focused and be efficient when creating your masterpiece.
- Pumpkin Carving Tools – A basic Halloween Pumpkin Carving kit is inexpensive and will get the job done. You can pick up a carving toolkit online or at your nearest Walmart or hardware store. Be sure that the kit includes a pumpkin scooper, serrated knife blade, and hole punch tool – sculpting and carving tools are also handy for intricate designs. Try using a lemon zester or melon baller for unique textures and scooping to create eyeballs and other fun embellishments.
- Large Serrated Knife – Use a large serrated knife to cut a hole into your pumpkin for scooping and to place your electric light or candle.
- Large Ladle or Spoon – to scoop the goop, of course!
- Metal Ice Cream Scoop – can be used for scooping goop and scraping sides.
- Power Drill & Jigsaw – If you or someone in your home is handy you can have fun Pumpkin Carving with Power Tools by creating intricate designs with a power drill or jigsaw. Kids and those who are not mechanically-inclined —> please, don’t try this without adult supervision!
- Disposable Tablecloths – pick up a pack of disposable tablecloths at the dollar store or amazon to cover your carving station/workspace for effortless clean up when you’re finished carving.
- Push Pins or Masking Tape – basic sewing pins or masking tape will be handy for attaching your carving design to your pumpkin.
- Pumpkin Carving Design – have your design ready to go. Feeling stuck? Try a free printable pumpkin pattern from Pumpkin Pile.
- Tracing Your Carving Design with Sewing Transfer Paper – This will make transferring your carving design super simple! You can purchase 100 sheets of sewing transfer paper from Amazon for under $10 which is likely a lifetime of pumpkin carving! You can also check your local Michael’s or craft supply store.
- Stainless Steel or Plastic Bowl – use a kitchen bowl to collect all of the scooping (pumpkin guts). Stainless steel is best as the pumpkin can stain some plastics. If you’re using a disposable tablecloth you can simply scoop the guts onto the tablecloth for easy cleanup.
- Rubber Gloves or Disposable Latex Gloves – wear gloves while scooping out your pumpkin guts to prevent messy, sticky orange hands. Be sure to remove gloves before using carving tools for better dexterity and to prevent your hands from slipping while cutting.
- Bleach or Petroleum Jelly – There are a variety of tips and tricks to preserve your pumpkin. A bleach bath has been shown to be the most effective, but can also be smelly and messy to work with (and damaging to clothes and textiles). Petroleum jelly wiped on all of the cut edges of your pumpkin is also thought to add some protection. You can also give your pumpkin a daily spritz with a bleach/water solution to keep it hydrated and looking healthy – just be careful not to damage your patio, deck, or flowers!
- Spray Bottle w/ Water – Pumpkins don’t oxidize as quickly as apples, but a spritz of plain water will help to keep your pumpkin hydrated and workable. (TIP) It’s what the carving pros do!
- Flameless Battery Operated Lights – a traditional candle may look pretty inside your jack-o-lantern, but it’s not recommended for two reasons. One – it can start a fire and Two – the heat of the candle flame will dry out your pumpkin causing it to look like it’s aging faster than Robin Williams in the movie ‘Jack’. Flameless battery operated lights are the way to go and you can find a variety of options, colors, and even flickering lights online and at your local craft stores.
- Set the Mood with Music – Grab your Bluetooth speaker or smartphone and cue up a spooky playlist from your favorite music streaming application. Try this Halloween Playlist 2020 from Spotify for all of the classics.
- Festive Cocktails, Beverages & Treats – Pick up a gallon or half-gallon of Best’s Fruit Farm pure apple freshly-pressed apple cider from our farm market to create hot mulled cider for the kids and an apple cider cocktail for you. Set out some snacks like kettle corn or gourmet popcorn (available in our market) to keep you going.
Carving Your Pumpkin
Once you have traced your design you are ready to begin carving!
- Don’t cut a hole in the top of your pumpkin! It’s common to cut a hole in the top of your pumpkin, but that’s not the best way! Professional pumpkin carvers recommend cutting a hole in the back of your pumpkin or on the bottom. Why? The stem of your pumpkin contains nutrients required to keep your pumpkin healthy. By leaving the top of your pumpkin intact you give your pumpkin the best chance of surviving as long as possible. Who knew?
- Scoop the guts out in a circular motion with a pumpkin scoop from your toolkit or a large kitchen spoon. You’ll want to get as much goop out as possible – too much moisture left in your pumpkin will cause it to rot faster.
- Save the Seeds for Roasting – You may want to save the seeds for roasting later – roasted pumpkin seeds are delicious and good for you! Try different variations including sweet, sweet-hot, and savory. There are many tips for How to Clean and Roast Pumpkin Seeds available online.
- Pre- Punch Your Design – begin by using the punch tool to trace out areas of your design. This will make it easier than trying to saw through the flesh of your pumpkin.
- Use Small Tools for Dexterity and Detail – Once you’ve carved the large areas of your design with a large knife or cutting tool it’s time to switch over to the smaller tools for better dexterity and detail work.
- Scrape Instead of Cut – Not every party of your design needs to be cut out – try scraping some of the areas to allow light to glow through without completely removing the flesh/wall. You can thin the wall of the pumpkin from the back for added dimension and varied light.
- Sculpt, Smooth, and Finish – You’re on the home stretch! Continue to work with your pumpkin until you feel it’s just right. Smooth or bevel the edges, remove remaining strings of flesh, and wipe down your masterpiece.
Relax. Your work is done!
You’ve done it! Your masterpiece has been created. The hardest part now is waiting until dark to watch it glow. If patience is not one of your strongest virtues, grab your new masterpiece and your apple cider adult beverage and head for the nearest basement or closet. Don’t forget a few snack-sized pieces of Halloween candy – you might want to linger a bit and bask in the warm glow of all of your creative glory. And don’t worry, if the kids ask where you are —> we know nothing!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM DONALDSON FARMS!
STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!
