When armed with the right know-how and simple tools, anyone can turn a humble gourd into a masterpiece. And whether you’re looking to carve smiling jack-o’-lanterns or decorate a sophisticated fall front porch, there’s a perfect pumpkin for you. Let us introduce you to the best varieties for carving and decorating, along with the best techniques to transform your porch into a spooky and spectacular seasonal display.
These are the types of pumpkins you’ll typically find in the patch (or at the farmers market) and what each is best suited for.
Best Pumpkin Types for Carving
Pumpkin patches are an abundance of colors, shapes, and textures. Technically, any type of pumpkin, gourd, or squash can be carved, but some are easier than others. Check out these coveted carving classics.
Cronus: Readily available and considered a classic for pumpkin carving, it has a nice dark orange color and a thick curved stalk.
Jack o’Lantern: At 10 inches tall and round, this favorite variety from 1956 is the perfect weight and size, especially for kids.
Howden: Widely available, it’s a little smaller than Cronus and has a sturdy stem, which helps longevity after carving.
Casper: Like the ghost, the ‘Casper’ pumpkin has bright white skin that’s smooth and ideal for carving or painting.
Best Pumpkin Types for Stacking
A stacking-type pumpkin can help elevate your designs. These sturdy stackers are trickier to carve, but they can be decorated or just kept au naturel to serve as foundation pieces.
Rouge Vif D’Etampes: Also known as ‘Cinderella’s Carriage’. Flatter than your average pumpkin in shades of orange, its quirky shape makes it a pick for ornamental use and excellent stacking.
Jarrahdale: Prized for its sweet flesh and unique coloring, Jarrahdale’s silvery-blue skin and deeply lobed shape looks striking in any fall display.
Flat White Boer: Most white pumpkins are round, but this is the pumpkin you need if you want a white base to stack pumpkins in a pretty pile.
Best Pumpkin Types for Fall Porch Decor
Not into carving? No problem! Bring your fall display to life with textured pumpkins or gourds to create effortless layering and plenty of seasonal charm. Their unique surfaces look great when drenched in paint or left to shine. Here are a few of our favorites.
Sunshine Kabocha: Thick skin makes it tricky to carve, but its bright color is great for decorating.
Winter Luxury: Covered in fine, silvery netting, it has a fairytale-like appearance.
Turk’s Turban: An ornamental decorating squash with a unique shape and vibrant, multicolored skin.
Tetsukabuto: Easier to go no-carve, it’s best for etching and decorating or starring as is.
Thelma Sanders: The lovely color and small size make it great for accenting.
How to Make Them Last
Washing your pumpkin of dirt and debris before carving is key. To make them last even longer, give them a vinegar bath. Submerge your pumpkin in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water for 20–30 minutes; let air-dry. After carving, give the pumpkin a second dunk in the vinegar solution.
While bleaching pumpkins was once a common technique, experts and wildlife advocates advise against it because of the risks posed to animals and the environment.
Read more at Better Homes and Gardens
