Planning a trip to the pumpkin patch this weekend? Get ready for some serious squash shopping! Here are five helpful tips to ensure you snag the perfect pumpkin without losing your mind!
Give It the Squish Test: Check for soft spots and mold—yuck! Don’t just pat it like a puppy; press down with your thumbs. If it feels like it’s had one too many pumpkin spice lattes, keep looking!
Stem-Check Like a Pro: A pumpkin with a handle is a keeper! Look for a dark green stem—it’s like finding a pumpkin with a fresh haircut. Brown? That’s last season’s style, and we’re not into vintage just yet!
The Tap Dance: Give that pumpkin a good tap. If it sounds hollow, it’s likely to be a carving dream. If it sounds like your buddy’s stomach after Taco Tuesday, maybe skip that one!
Flat is Where It’s At: Go for pumpkins with flat walls and no deep ribs. Those are the canvas for your carving masterpieces! And avoid those tall, skinny ones; they’re just trying too hard to be the life of the party and will leave you with stringy regrets.
The Balance Beam Test: Once you think you’ve found the one, set it down on a flat surface. If it wobbles like it just stepped off a carnival ride, keep searching! We want stability here, not a pumpkin that needs a pep talk.
Now go forth, brave pumpkin hunter, and may your patch be fruitful!