Tips on Pumpkin Carving and How to Make Your Creations Last
Keeping Your Pumpkins Fresh and Fun in Illinois Zone 5
Pumpkins are everywhere this time of year—on porches, in planters, and glowing on Halloween night. But if you’ve ever had your masterpiece collapse after only a day or two, you know the struggle. Here are a few expert tips to keep your pumpkin creations looking their best in our cool, often damp Illinois Zone 5 fall weather:
- Pick firm, heavy pumpkins with strong stems and no soft spots.
- Carve when it’s cool—our chilly nights help preserve them.
- Scoop thoroughly, scraping sides until only thin walls remain.
- Spray carved areas with a bleach or vinegar solution to slow mold.
- Seal edges with petroleum jelly to prevent shriveling.
- Bring them inside on frosty nights to avoid sudden collapse.
Fun idea: carve leaves, stars, or polka dots with a drill for a lantern effect. For kids, skip the knives—paint, markers, or stick-on shapes are safer and just as festive.
And don’t toss all that pumpkin—save some to make pumpkin bread.
The Landscape Connection
4472 S. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61109
Help your plants survive the winter and thrive next spring. Learn how to protect perennials, shrubs, and trees in Zone 5 with these simple, effective garden care tips from The Landscape Connection.
Fall cleanup doesn’t mean stripping your garden bare. Learn how to protect pollinators, wildlife, and soil health with a mindful approach that keeps your Zone 5 garden thriving and ready for spring.
Plant perennial flower seeds this October in Illinois Zone 5. Learn how to sow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, lupine, and more using winter’s natural stratification for stronger, earlier blooms.
Plant spring bulbs this fall with expert Zone 5 tips from Michelle in Northern Illinois. Learn when, where, and how to plant tulips, daffodils, and crocus for the best spring show.
Fall isn’t the end of garden season—it’s the beginning of next year’s success. Discover why autumn is the perfect time to plant trees, perennials, and bulbs in Zone 5, and how to do it right.
Learn how and when to divide your perennial plants this fall. Discover step-by-step techniques for lifting, splitting, and replanting hostas, iris, daylilies, and more—plus tips to reduce transplant shock and keep your garden thriving.
Learn how to plant iris in early fall for bold spring blooms. This guide covers sun, soil, spacing, re-blooming care, and Michelle’s top planting tips. Perfect for Zone 5 gardens!
Want your fall mums to last longer—and maybe even return next year? Discover tips on planting, overwintering, and choosing the right varieties to get the most out of your fall mums in Zone 5.
Curious about how to grow your own mums? Learn how to start from seed or cuttings, when to pinch, and how to get bushy fall blooms in Zone 5. Grow like a pro with these easy TLC tips!
Want your mums to look their best all season long? Discover practical tips for watering, placement, and care to keep your fall mums vibrant and thriving in any Zone 5 garden.
