Wyoming Weather Shapes How Long Your Carved Pumpkin Survives Outdoors

Even though Halloween is at the end of the year, it's really the kickoff to the Holiday season and a time for you and the family to spend lots of time together on family activities.

One of those is decorating your jack-o'-lanterns. It's not just the decorating part that brings a family together, but all that goes with it. Letting the kids pick the perfect pumpkin so they can run wild with their imagination and get as creative as they'd like. Scoop out the pumpkin guts, you can roast the seeds, then cut, paint, or stencil the design.

First, decide the best time to get the pumpkin, because timing is everything. The next thing to determine is how you're going to decorate them. If you're going to paint them, they'll last longer. In Wyoming, you can stretch an uncut pumpkin's life to 2 to 3 months outside and up to 12 months indoors.

If the kids choose to carve the pumpkins, don't carve them too soon, or they will rot before Halloween. In Wyoming, depending on the conditions, a carved pumpkin typically lasts only a few days. Weather can wreak havoc, so check the forecast to choose the best carving window.

I found a great video with a few tips that can enhance the experience, reduce mess, and extend the life of the Jack-o'-Lantern.

• Instead of cutting around the stem on top, cut around the blossom end (the bottom). This makes it easier to place over a candle.
• Using a hand mixer helps remove the guts.
• Dry-erase markers are best for sketching out your design. If you mess up, you can wipe it off and start over.
• Use cookie cutters and a rubber mallet for clean, precise features.
• Vaseline on the cut edges can extend your Jack-o'-Lantern's life.