As anticipation builds for Halloween festivities, a Washington County Master Gardener provides tips on how to keep your pumpkins in the best shape possible.

After making a trip to the pumpkin patch, residents are encouraged to wash them with soap, a bleach solution or vinegar to help kill any organisms that could be harmful to the pumpkin. Storing them inside or in an outdoor area with covering will help prolong its life. Master Gardener Sheila Gerot warns residents that carving pumpkins will cause them to rot quicker, “I wouldn’t expect them to last more than a week or so. It depends on the weather. If it’s warmer then it’s actually gonna rot quicker. If you want them to last longer then you can actually draw faces on them with a magic marker or some other kind of permanent marker and they will stay nice longer.”

Signs that a pumpkin is beginning to rot include discoloration and smell. Homeowners are encouraged to be cautious of where pumpkins are placed within the household as the juices can damage wood flooring. When discarding a pumpkin, grab a separate garbage bag to place it in to allow it to decompose properly. Remains can also be used as fertilizer in gardens to help other vegetables and flowers. Simply remove the seeds before putting the remains in the soil. For more information on fall gardening tips, visit here.