I have a hack that will help you preserve your pumpkins this fall

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Yes, I am one of those cringey adults who still go to the pumpkin patch and carve a toothless grin on a hallow fruit (and yes, pumpkins are fruits. It doesn’t feel right to me either). Whether you’re like me and love to get in touch with your inner child or simply enjoy decorating your home with pumpkins during the fall season, you know they decay pretty quickly. This is often because they run out of moisture and shrivel up — which also attracts bugs and other creepy crawlies.

Steve Reiners, a horticulturist at Cornell University, told NPR that the time of the decay depends on the state of the pumpkin and the weather. “If the pumpkin was healthy when picked and diseases were controlled in the field, the pumpkin can last 8 to 12 weeks," he told NPR. He adds that jack-o-lanterns don’t last as long: up to 10 days.

In an attempt to satisfy my curiosity and search for the best way to keep pumpkins from dying quickly, I found a super cool hack that could keep our jack-o-lantern friends alive longer. According to Woman’s Day, creating a bleach spray — one part bleach and ten parts water — could be the answer.

This bleach mixture will keep our pumpkins moist and ward off bacteria. The key is to spray the pumpkin every day — or every other day — to keep the bacteria at bay.

A bleach bath is also super helpful! Totally The Bomb recommends mixing one teaspoon of bleach with every one gallon of water and soaking the pumpkin in the mixture for 20-30 minutes, allowing it to air dry after. The bleach water will help kill off mold and fungus, allowing you to enjoy your Halloween decor a little bit longer.

I’m almost positive a trip to the pumpkin patch with a hot coffee, and a loved one can provide enough serotonin for an entire year. Try this hack out and let me know how it goes below 🧡