How to carve a pumpkin: a step by step guide

2 min reading time

Cut the opening in the bottom rather than the top, scoop the pumpkin out until the wall is about two centimetres thick, draw your design on with a marker before you cut anything, and dry the inside properly when you're done. Those four things are the difference between a pumpkin that lasts a fortnight and one that collapses in four days.

What you need

A pumpkin with a flat base and no soft spots
A serrated knife or a cheap carving saw, which controls better than a kitchen knife
An ice cream scoop or a sturdy spoon for the flesh
A marker pen
Kitchen paper and a candle or battery light

Step by step

1. Cut the opening in the base. Turn the pumpkin over and cut a circle out of the bottom, angling the blade inwards so the piece can't fall through. Working from underneath means the pumpkin sits over your light rather than balancing a lid, and the stalk stays intact, which helps it keep longer.

2. Scoop it out. Take out the seeds and strings first, then scrape the walls back until they are roughly two centimetres thick. Thinner walls let more light through and cut faster. Anything thinner than a centimetre gets floppy.

3. Draw before you cut. Sketch the design on with a marker and step back to look at it. Keep large shapes for the front and remember that every piece needs something holding it in place, so avoid designs where a section is only attached at one point.

4. Cut the design. Saw with short strokes and let the blade do the work rather than forcing it. Do the small details last, when there is still plenty of solid pumpkin around them. Push cut pieces out from the inside.

5. Dry it out. Wipe the inside completely dry with kitchen paper. Moisture is what makes a pumpkin go mouldy, so this step matters more than most guides suggest.

How to make it last longer

Rub the cut edges with a little oil or petroleum jelly to slow moisture loss. Keep the pumpkin outside in the cold rather than in a warm living room, and bring it in only when you want to see it. If it starts to sag, a few hours face down in cold water will often firm it up again. Use a battery light rather than a real candle if you want it to last. A flame cooks the inside of the pumpkin from the moment you light it.

Give the pumpkin a second life

An emptied pumpkin makes a good short-term planter, which is a neater end than the compost bin. Line the inside with a plastic bag or a saucer, add a little soil and sit a few succulents or small cacti in it. Succulents work best here because they need almost no water, so the pumpkin stays dry and firm for weeks.

When the pumpkin finally goes, the plants lift straight out and go into a pot or into an open terrarium. It's the same idea as a DIY terrarium kit, just with a seasonal container: you're arranging plants rather than growing them, so nothing needs to root.

In short

Cut from the base, keep the walls around two centimetres, draw your design before cutting, and dry the inside thoroughly. Keep it cold, use a battery light, and when the season is over let it earn a few more weeks as a planter.

FAQ

When does autumn start?

There are two answers, and both are correct. Meteorological autumn always runs from 1 September to 30 November, which is what weather forecasters use. Astronomical autumn begins at the September equinox, which in 2026 falls on 23 September.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

On Sunday 25 October, when the clocks go back an hour and the evenings suddenly get dark much earlier. It's the point in the year when most people notice the change in light indoors, and it's a good moment to move plants closer to a window.

Why do leaves change colour in autumn?

As days shorten, trees stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment that powers photosynthesis. The yellows and oranges were in the leaf all along and simply become visible once the green fades. Reds are made fresh in autumn, which is why some years are more colourful than others depending on the weather.

When is Halloween 2026?

Saturday 31 October. Most people decorate in the last week of October, and pumpkins are best carved two or three days before, since a carved pumpkin doesn't last long.

How long does a carved pumpkin last?

Usually between five days and two weeks, depending on how warm it's kept. Drying the inside thoroughly after carving, keeping the pumpkin outside in the cold and using a battery light rather than a candle all make a noticeable difference.

Should I carve a pumpkin from the top or the bottom?

The bottom. It keeps the stalk intact, hides the join, and lets you set the pumpkin down over a light instead of reaching in through a lid. It also drains better, which helps it last longer.

What can I do with a pumpkin after Halloween?

If it's still firm, use it as a temporary planter. Line the inside, add a little soil and sit succulents or small cacti in it, since they need so little water that the pumpkin stays firm for weeks. Once it softens, compost it and move the plants into a pot.

Why are my houseplants struggling in autumn?

Almost always because of light, not care. Shorter days mean slower growth, so plants use far less water and any fertiliser just sits in the soil. From late September, water around half as often, stop feeding until March, and move plants closer to the window.

When should I bring outdoor plants inside?

Before the first frost, and earlier for anything tender. As a rule of thumb, bring tender plants in once night temperatures start dropping towards ten degrees. Check the leaves and undersides for pests before they come indoors, since a warm house lets an infestation spread quickly.

How do I make my home feel autumnal without filling it with decorations?

Work with texture rather than seasonal colour: glass, wood, moss, dried stems and linen in a narrow range of greens and browns. Choose one focal point where you actually look, and add a warm side lamp for the evenings. Three well-placed things read better than fifteen scattered ones.