How to Pick a Perfect Pumpkin

• If possible, go straight to the pumpkin patch and hand-pick your pumpkins right off of the vine. Some farms offer unique varieties such as miniatures and ghost white pumpkins.



• Grab some gourds and Indian corn while you're at it and you're all set for Halloween decorating.



• Farm pumpkin patch picking is not only fun, your pumpkins and gourds will be the freshest and last longer.



• Look for a well-balanced pumpkin with a steady base. If you can't find a steady one, find one with a flat side... this will give you a sideways pumpkin to carve. You can be very creative with these.



• The color should be medium or dark Orange and even. The greener ones will turn Orange over time, but they might rot before that happens. Stick with the Orange ones.



• Check the pumpkin for soft spots and mold. The soft spots are places where it is already starting to rot.



• Look for the ROUND, Smooth face. Only one part should be flat... the back of it. The rest of it should be ROUND. Watch out for ones that have a lot of bumps or "acne", they are much harder to carve and worse to photograph.



• Make sure the stem is kept intact. Nothing worse than trying to get the lantern lid off with a broken stem.



• Since you are carving your pumpkin, make sure it's not too small. You will need ample room for carving out the face... especially if you are limited with big bulky carving tools.



• If your pumpkin is still covered in dirt and mud from the field, don't be afraid to hose it off and clean it up... especially if it going to be brought inside.



• After you've brought it home, leave it in the garage for the night if a freeze is in the weather forecast... or just leave it inside the house at room temperature.

Now you are ready to CARVE 1 for our Count!
CARVE IT! - COUNT IT!