Pick it up and tap it. Many cooking varieties have names that let you know they are destined for pie filling, such as 'Small Sugar Pumpkin' or 'New England Pie Pumpkin'. You want at least 12 inches tall if you plan to put a candle in it. Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, Herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist with decades of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. Choose a winner. It can be very difficult and even dangerous to try to cut through especially hard shells. Get their official bio, social pages & articles. You Don’t Need Fancy Tools. There are three types of pumpkin carving: cut-out, sculpting, and shading. You’ll want to choose a pumpkin that feels heavy for it’s size. Pick one that looks healthy, feels firm and has a flat bottom. Carefully check the pumpkin for soft spots and dark bruises. 2. After carving, coat the inside of the pumpkin and the cuts with petroleum jelly. And if you're using a template, bring it along to ensure you pick a pumpkin large enough for the design, with just the right "face." And it's important to consider what you'll be using the pumpkin for—cooking or carving—when you're planning what to grow or purchase. They are great for kids to carve and for use as decorations. Out came the carving supplies, and down we sat to create our masterpieces. The ideal carving pumpkin should have a shell that is hard enough to protect the pumpkin but still allows you to get a knife through it. When it comes to shape and size, pick the one you like best. First, knock on the pumpkin to see if it’s hollow; hollow means ripe. In fact, expert carvers recommend pumpkins that are imperfect. It is not a handle. Tall, short, round, oval—as long as it has a smooth exterior, carving will be much simpler. The heavier the pumpkin, the thicker the walls. Of course, you want to pick a pumpkin that’s free from blemishes and soft spots, but that doesn’t mean your gourd of choice needs to be flawless. Make a clean workspace to do the carving in, and trace or draft your design on the side of the pumpkin before you begin cutting. Before carving or display, wash the pumpkin with warm water and let it dry. Don't just pick any pumpkin. 1. Odd-shaped pumpkins can have extra character which can make carving fun. The 'Rouge Vif D'Etampes' variety is delicious but very hard to shell. Thick walls block the candlelight and carving details will be lost. But it's still important to test to see whether your pumpkin has a balanced base to sit on, so it doesn't roll when you display it. (You're welcome.) The pumpkin's shape is up to your own taste. 2. Never carry it by the stem. Don't entirely avoid the small pumpkin varieties. There is a lot of variety in pumpkins. Check the coloring: Choose one that has consistent coloring throughout. The smallest nick can be enough to let in disease. Fall brings with it so many fun traditions, drinking apple cider, making caramel apples and, most importantly, visiting the pumpkin patch! Because pumpkin carving templates are essentially just stencils, dedicated stencil websites are a great resource for pumpkin carving inspiration. Pumpkin shells get dull as they age, but the flesh usually remains intact and gets sweeter. And because pumpkins come in all sorts of shapes and dimensions, each design has three different sizes to choose from! Although its outer shell is ghostly white, its flesh is still bright orange. Scott's first tip: Pick the best pumpkin for carving. They might look cute, but Dussel says that they can be harder to … Using a sharp knife, cut a circular hole in the top of the pumpkin at an angle toward … Tips for selecting the perfect pumpkin for carving: • Choose a pumpkin with a stem at least 1 to 2 inches long. Free Stencil Gallery has an extensive selection of Jack O’ Lantern templates, but if you’re after something of a more intermediate level, scroll through their free Halloween stencil gallery! Pick it up and tap it. Tis the season for pumpkin carving and when it comes to picking the right pumpkin, there are steps you can take to make sure you pick a winner! Regardless of the type of pumpkin you are looking for, there are some basic guidelines to select a good one. Don't forget to look at the bottom of the pumpkin. Consider these tips to help you pick a carving pumpkin: The smaller pumpkin varieties are favored for cooking. How To Choose a Pumpkin Carving Kit. Their smooth tan skin is easier to peel than other pumpkins, and their orange flesh is flavorful and not stringy. The white pumpkin 'Lumina' can also be used for cooking. Also, the bottom should be flat so it doesn’t roll. Need some pumpkin-carving inspiration this Halloween? 'Wee-B-Little', 'Baby Bear', and the white 'Baby Boo' are all charming varieties. But before you go, educate yourself. According to ancient beliefs, it scares away evil spirits from your homes on All Saints Day. 1. Next, check out the pumpkin. The heavier the pumpkin, the thicker the walls. Cut-out is what people are most familiar with. Knock on the pumpkin to check that it is hollow (and therefore ripe). So don't shy away from a dull pumpkin unless it's bruised or blemished. Anyone can manage a simple pumpkin face design just by keeping a few pumpkin carving tips in mind and with very few tools, other than a knife and scooper. ; Look for bad spots: Try to choose a pumpkin without any scratches, bruises, or dark spots. Carving a simple Jack O Lantern. A good carving pumpkin should be firm and healthy. Check to make sure the skin has hardened enough before picking by pressing it with your fingernail; this shouldn't crack the skin. Look for a pumpkin that has a deep orange color. Like with the other carving techniques, cut a top or hole in the bottom of the pumpkin and remove the pumpkin guts before starting to carve. Take the following into consideration when cooking and eating pumpkins: Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener. Remember also that you'll need to scoop out all of the seeds from the pumpkin's interior. A pumpkin cut for Halloween will last seven to 10 days depending on weather conditions. If you are planning to use a candle, go taller: if a pumpkin is too short and squat, the candle will burn the roof. Besides traditional pie pumpkins, there are several other varieties specifically bred for cooking. If you end up with a thick-walled pumpkin, you can shave the walls from the inside. White pumpkins varieties, such as 'Lumina', can give a spooky look to your. We've collected some of the best pumpkin-carving techniques and compiled them into this handy pumpkin-carving guide! Pumpkin-carving kits, made specifically for kids or adults, are another good source. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. This also can lead to you dropping and splitting the pumpkin. Make sure the pumpkin has smooth skin and a good stem. Using a large scoop out the seeds and fibers "guts" of the pumpkin. The stem can easily break off, leaving the pumpkin with an open wound that invites infection and rot. Furthermore, note that the tall, oblong varieties tend to be stringier inside, causing it to be difficult to make precise cuts. It involves cutting straight through the pumpkin to make a design. Choose the best pumpkin for carving or eating this Halloween. Tap the pumpkin gently, and listen for a hollow sound. If you think pumpkins are only for decoration or that pumpkin pie comes out of a can, you've probably never known what a treat growing your own pumpkins can be. DON'T GO FOR MINI PUMPKINS. You don't want a carving pumpkin with especially thick walls, as this can block light from the inside and obscure carving details. To carve your own pumpkin, you'll first need to purchase or pick one from a local farmer's market or pumpkin patch. Therefore, today we are learning how to carve pumpkin for Halloween and some scary pumpkin carving ideas. Pick it up and feel the weight. Pumpkins without stems tend to dry out faster and increases their chances of rot fungi. Firm stem: You should aim to pick a pumpkin with a firm stem. For a simple pumpkin carving … If it’s soft, bruised, or mushy anywhere, it’s beginning to rot, and it’s not going to make it to Halloween. The lighter the pumpkin's skin, the softer the pumpkin will be, thus the easier to carve. Here are tips and tricks to pick the best pumpkin for carving. A simple $7 kit is sufficient for most classic jack-o’-lanterns and veggie … Want to know more about Josh Wolff? The following tips will help you select the right pumpkin. Avoid the temptation to pick the pumpkin up by the ‘handle’ or stem… Crookneck pumpkins, also known as crookneck squash, are long and curved with a bulbous end. So, find your nearest pumpkin patch and go pumpkin picking! If the stem breaks when you try to pick it up you should put it down and find another pumpkin. A fully mature pumpkin should be hard enough for short-term storage. Know how you want to design your jack-o'-lantern before picking your pumpkin so you know what size and shape to look for. The perfect shape: You should choose a round or oval pumpkin with a flat bottom. Picking a Proper Pumpkin. With Halloween around the corner, you want a good pumpkin for carving. The Ultimate Guide to Pumpkin Types and Varieties, Safety Tips for Carving Pumpkins and Displaying Them, 8 Best Types of Squash for Beginners to to Grow, Free Jack-o'-Lantern Patterns: Printable Templates, How to Remove Pumpkin Stains From Clothes and Upholstery, When and How to Harvest Garden Vegetables. "If you're going to do more detailed carving, it's often easier to carve if you pick a pumpkin … Download our free mix-and-match template and print it at home to choose from a variety of spooky or goofy features for your homemade jack-o’-lanterns! When choosing your pumpkin, look for one that is without bruises, is evenly colored, and isn't moldy or rotten. Once you pick a size, give your pumpkin a knock with your fist. Carefully check the pumpkin for soft spots and dark bruises. Cut Out the Top. They have dense flesh with a smooth texture and high sugar content. Pick the right size for carving. Pick out the perfect pumpkin. 6. When you're perusing the selection at the pumpkin patch or grocery store, make sure that you settle on a pumpkin with a flat bottom (so it doesn't roll) and a nice sturdy stem. Tap the pumpkin gently and listen for a slightly hollow sound. Sculpting is where you carve a 3D sculpture, much the same way you would carve wood or clay. Follow the necessary safety precautions while using the tools and product needed for this project. Check the bottom for rot and tap gently to hear a firm, hollow sound. No Halloween is complete without a jack-o’-lantern.Whether you’re carving pumpkins with family or sculpting masterpiece pumpkins solo, you’ll need a top-notch carving kit to help you get the job done.. As you’re hunting for a pumpkin carving kit, keep in mind how intense you want your pumpkin to be. Avoid pumpkins with shells that feel as hard as a piece of wood. Make sure the bottom of the pumpkin isn’t soft and mushy! Wash your pumpkin. 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