By William Terry Kelley
University of
Georgia

Corn shocks, hay bales, Indian corn and pumpkins have become
popular in store windows, front yards and even the house in
celebrating the fall season.

When it comes to pumpkins, orange is still the norm, but you may
want to try some alternative colors to enhance your fall
display.

Several newer varieties have expanded shoppers’ choices when
hunting for the “Great Pumpkin.” There are buff colors, whites,
reddish-orange and even blue-gray to choose from.

Some of these may not have the look and shape of a standard
pumpkin. But they do make for an attractive mix in the fall
decor.

Miniature pumpkins offer several options, including white, green
mixed with orange and a fairly new one that’s a mixture of
green, orange, white and yellow.

Minis are sometimes coated with polyurethane to protect them and
extend their shelf life. However, if you buy them without the
coating, it’s easy to do yourself with a spray can or a small
paint brush.

Pick carefully

The recent tropical storms have had an impact on the quality and
quantity of pumpkins available this fall. Many were washed away
by the torrential rains.

The wet weather has also produced pumpkins that may not keep as
well as in a drier season. Shoppers may pay a little extra for
pumpkins this fall, and the selection may not be quite as
extensive. So shop early.

As you shop for the perfect pumpkin, be sure it has no soft
spots or damage that will reduce the shelf life. Look for a good
stem that’s fully dried. The more blemish-free the fruit, the
longer it will likely last.

Creative carving

When you’re carving for contests or Halloween, don’t cut the
pumpkin more than a day in advance. You can extend the life of
the carved pumpkin by keeping it covered with a damp cloth when
it’s not on display.

There are always plenty of resources you can use to carve out
new and innovative designs. Carving kits are easily accessible
in many stores and roadside pumpkin markets.

One new product this year is a Dremel pumpkin-carving implement.
The famous craftsmanship tool has developed a special unit just
for use when carving your pumpkin. This device may make it
easier to do those more complex designs you only dreamed about
in the past.

The possibilities continue to become endless for creating your
own unique fall display.