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With Halloween less than two weeks away, it is most definitely time to get spooky.
One of the best parts of October is not only copious amounts of candy corn and scary movies, but the tradition of carving pumpkins!
When it comes to creating the most frightening of Jack-O-Lanterns, an important and fundamental step is finding the right canvas.
But what makes the perfect pumpkin? We paid a visit to Don-O-Ray Farms to find the answer and provide you with a few helpful tips to remember when you're hitting the patch.
1. A sturdy stem
The longer the stem the better!
Not only does a long stem add function as a lid for your Jack-O-Lantern, but they are also very decorative.
Tip: Don’t pick your pumpkin up by the stem as they can snap off easily.
Grab your pumpkin by the sides or underneath and lift carefully because they can be heavy!
2. Watch for any water or frost damage
Since pumpkins grow in the great outdoors, it can be hard to shelter them from the elements.
Sometimes a pumpkin will get too cold in the crisp autumn air or have puddle from underneath it due to moisture, this can lead to your pumpkin rotting in some spots which means it won’t last as long or look as nice.
Fun fact: Even the most significantly damaged pumpkins still have an important purpose.
While they may not be carving or pie material, they are a great addition to the compost bin and can be used as garden fertilizer!
3. Colour is subjective
When we think of a traditional Jack-O-Lantern, usually we think of a bright orange pumpkin.
Nowadays there are so many varieties of pumpkins, gourds or squash, that you have great freedom when it comes to creating your perfect Halloween decoration.
From classic orange to dark green, a peachy pastel or even white, pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes and colours — all of which are beautiful in their own unique way!
4. Make it fun
Halloween only comes once a year, so make sure you enjoy it!
Hunting for the perfect pumpkin can be a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors with friends and family, all the while supporting small businesses like Don-O-Ray Farms, McMillan Farms or Davison Orchards, just to name a few.
Ideas: An easy way to crank up the fun is by getting dressed up if your favourite fall attire and snapping some cute photos during your adventures that you can cherish forever.
You can also add some friendly competition into your day by making a “who can find the best pumpkin” challenge.
We want to see your perfect pumpkins! Tag #KelownaNow in your pumpkin carving pics on Instagram or leave your snaps in the comments below.
Remember, these tips are just meant to be helpful, the perfect pumpkin differs between each individual and their style preference.
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