Peas, Pisum sativum, are a cool-weather crop for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 11.Those in zones that receive
06.06.2023 - 18:58 / gardenerspath.com / Nan Schiller / Winter Squash
9 Quick Tips to Make Jack-O’-Lanterns LastIt’s almost Halloween, and that means pumpkin carving!
But what can you do to keep those gorgeous creations from turning into a pile of mush within a matter of days?
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From choosing the best to carving and proper care, the following 9 tips will help you keep your decorative masterpieces fresh for a festive Halloween night.
9 Tips for Long-Lasting Jack-O’-Lanterns1. A Stem Is a LifelineThe ideal pumpkin has a good length of firm stem that is still attached, and this should not be shriveled.
It’s still being nourished by this portion of the vine, making it less vulnerable to rotting than its stemless counterparts.
2. Blemishes Are Red FlagsBruises, cuts, and scars are stress indicators that may mean an early decline. For the longest possible life, your selection should have the least blemished skin.
3. Go GreenAn unripe fruit or vegetable lasts longer than a ripe one, so pass on the orange and go for the greenest one you can find, for a fresh, funky look.
4. Squeaky CleanWhen you get home, wash the skin with an antibacterial dish detergent or hand soap and thoroughly dry it, to remove rot-inducing debris and bacteria.
5. A Back Door Instead of a LidInstead of slicing off the top to reveal the “guts” inside, cut an opening in the back of your pumpkin.
Remove the piece and notch a thumb-sized hole out of the edge for easy grasping and convenient access to the cavity. By leaving the stem in place, nutrient feeding continues for the bulk of the vegetable.
6. Simplify DesignsThe techniques of thinning and removing skin, as well as making many intricate cuts, increase vulnerability to
Peas, Pisum sativum, are a cool-weather crop for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 11.Those in zones that receive
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