Picking Out the Perfect Halloween Pumpkin

Picking out a Halloween pumpkin is easy if you know where and what to look for. A few key characteristics to seek out will ensure that you pick out the right pumpkin for you.

1. First, plan on going pumpkin shopping early, not the week of Halloween. Early in the month of October is your best bet. You'll get the "pick of the patch" by claiming your perfect pumpkin before everyone else gets there. Just don't carve it right away or it'll rot before Halloween.

2. Have an idea of what you'd like to carve. A face, or something less traditional like an animal or a scene, or even a worded carving are all good options. Try to visualize what your carving will look like and what shape pumpkin will work best.

3. Visit a local pumpkin patch to pick out your pumpkin. If you don't have a pick-your-own patch nearby, try a farm stand, farmer's market, or a local co-op. You'll have the best variety and freshest product by going those routes. If you don't have any of those options where you live, there are still plenty of pumpkins available at grocery stores and/or Wal-mart. It's important to realize, however, that store-bought pumpkins probably won't last as long due to the shipment process. Bruises and scars are likely from all the jostling, and they were probably picked weeks before being placed in the store displays. Just be sure to get a good look at the one you pick out to make sure it's up to par.

4. Pick an overall pumpkin shape based on what you plan on carving. Try to picture whether your carving idea will look best on a tall oval-shaped one, a squat round pumpkin, or something in the middle.

5. Look over the entire pumpkin. Look for a deep orange color on all sides, and make sure it's fairly blemish free. Check for scars, scrapes, soft spots, or visible mold/mildew that will likely cause your pumpkin to rot quickly. But bumps or dents that don't break the skin may actually be desired features for your particular carving, so don't discard them immediately. For example, a bump might be a good wart on a witch's nose.

6. Try to sit the pumpkin upright and level (even if it's still on the vine) to make sure it will stay that way when you want to display it.

7. Pick a pumpkin that has a good, solid stem still attached. The stem not only adds character, but also makes it much easier to remove the "top" when you carve the pumpkin. Don't carry the pumpkin by it's stem or you risk breaking it off before carving. Cradle the pumpkin from the bottom or place it in a cart to transport. Make sure that If the pumpkin you pick is heavy, lift with your legs and not your back in order to avoid injury.

8. Store the pumpkin in a cool, dry place until it's carving time. Keep it inside if frost is a threat. Try not to carve it more than a week in advance or you'll have a shriveled pumpkin come Halloween. Enjoy this once-a-year fun and don't forget to take pictures!