How to decorate dried pumpkins

When pumpkin season begins, kitchens are filled with these vegetables. With them we can create a wide variety of dishes, such as creams, cakes, sauces, sweets and many more. In the gastronomic world there are multiple recipes where pumpkin is the main ingredient. However, this delicious vegetable is not only used to satisfy our appetite, but also to decorate the home, as long as we have dried it before. So that you know how to do it yourself, we will explain how to decorate dried pumpkins

It is a very entertaining task and suitable for the whole family. Especially on Halloween it is an ideal and festive pastime for the little ones. So that you can do it without problem, We will explain how to dry the pumpkins and, to inspire you, we will comment on some ideas to make them really beautiful. If you like crafts and want to try something different, you will love this.

How to dry pumpkins to decorate?

Before giving you some ideas and tips on how to decorate dried pumpkins, first we must know how to dry them, No? Let’s see what are the steps to follow to carry out this task:

1. Choose the pumpkins: It is important that these vegetables are ripe and that their stem measures at least three centimeters. The latter is essential, since pumpkins eliminate moisture through there. Another aspect to keep in mind is that the larger the pumpkin, the longer it will take to dry completely.
2. Wash the pumpkins: Once we have chosen the pumpkins, it is time to wash them well to remove the remains of earth and dirt that they may have. This task must be carried out with soap and warm water. You can do it without fear of damaging these vegetables, because their shell is very resistant and hard.
3. Let them rest in a mixture with bleach: After the first wash, it is best to put them in a mixture of hot water with a little bleach, no more than one lid. There they should rest for about twenty minutes. Then we have to wash them again with cold water.
4. Dry the pumpkins: When it comes to drying these vegetables, we must find a place inside the house that has good air circulation and where the sun shines on them, if possible. Although it is true that pumpkins can also be dried outdoors, they can be invaded by insects there. Once a week we must turn the vegetables so that the supported part also dries.
5. Dry the pumpkin (alternative): Another way to dry gourds is to hang them from a sturdy enough structure. This technique is much more comfortable, because they dry evenly, so there is no need to turn them over.

Once the pumpkins are already drying, how long can it take? It usually takes several weeks to dry completely. However, this will mainly depend on its size. So smaller pumpkins will dry out much sooner than larger ones.

To know if a pumpkin is already dry, we must look at its appearance. It will have a much duller color than at the beginning. In addition, it will be light and will appear to be hollow inside. In fact, on many occasions, when shaking the gourd, you can hear the seeds inside, as if it were a maraca.

How to decorate dried pumpkins: Ideas

Now that we know how to dry pumpkins, let's see some ideas on how to decorate them once dry:

• Paint: What gives us more game is to paint the pumpkins. We can do it any way we like. Some options would be to paint shapes, use various colors, color the stem as well, draw skulls or faces, etc.
• Paste decorative elements: With or without painting, another option is to decorate the pumpkins by sticking decorative elements on the surface, such as pebbles, balls or diamonds, among others.
• Cut: The most traditional way of decorating pumpkins is by carving them. Faces are usually made for Halloween, usually frightening. However, we can carve them however we want. Other ideas to replace the faces would be, for example, patterns. If we also empty the pumpkins inside and place a candle inside, we can create a beautiful decorative element.
• Decorate with fabrics: Whether they are painted or not, what can be great is to place some fabric, such as tulle or guipure, on the surface of the pumpkin. We can fix it with a bow or with glue, or simply place it at the top, held by the stem.
• Create a mini showcase: So that the pumpkin can house a tiny window, we must cut an entire side of it and take advantage of that opening to introduce the elements that we want. These can be little plants, figures, stones and whatever comes to mind, and create a showcase, a representation of something or a small garden.

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Why is the pumpkin associated with Halloween

When placing our works of art, it is best to find a place where they stand out. We can use the smaller pumpkins as centerpieces or to decorate shelves, and the larger ones to receive guests at the entrance of the house, next to pots or in corners and corners of the home.

What paint is best for painting pumpkins?

In the event that we decide to paint our dried pumpkins, It is best to use acrylic paint. If we do not have this type at home, we can try the one we have in a small piece of pumpkin, to see if it paints and holds up well. A little help would be to apply a sealer before you start painting the pumpkin. Using a brush we can distribute it evenly on the surface. In this way we will ensure that the paint adheres better. Of course, we must wait for the sealer to dry completely before applying the paint. After the paint has also dried, we can apply another coat of sealer to fix the design.

What do you think of these ideas on how to decorate dried pumpkins? I hope they have been an inspiration to you! If you haven't tried creating your own pumpkin designs yet, I recommend you give it a try. It is a very entertaining task that gives very nice and personalized results.