How to Dry and Preserve Pumpkins and Gourds for Gorgeous Fall Décor

by
Elizabeth Ann Roy

---

 

Photo of pumpkins and gourds courtesy of Image by Vien Hoang from Pixabay

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Harvesting Your Home-grown Pumpkins and Gourds: Timing is Key
Before Prepping Your Pumpkins and Gourds to Appear in Your Home: Wash Their Dirty Little Faces
The Drying Process: Two Steps to Long-Lasting Pumpkins and Gourds

• ​Step 1: Dry Out the Shell
• ​​Step 2: Dry Out the Interior

​Finishing Touches: Seal for Longevity
Enjoy Your Dried Pumpkins and Gourds for Seasons to Come

​​​There’s something about decorating with pumpkins and gourds that just says “fall.” Their warm colors, interesting textures, and playful shapes add a natural touch to your seasonal displays, whether they’re snuggled into a bookshelf, nestled into a wreath, or proudly standing as a centerpiece. These versatile decorations bring a charming autumn surprise wherever they're placed.

 

​Harvesting Your Home-grown Pumpkins and Gourds: Timing is Key

Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting gourds. As the seeds mature and the vine stops sending nutrients, the stems start to turn brown and shrivel up. That’s your cue to harvest, but don't wait too long. Make sure to harvest before the first hard frost sneaks in and nips them.

Mr. Whipple Says, "Please Don’t Squeeze Your Gourds and Pumpkins"

To preserve their appearance and longevity, handle your pumpkins and gourds gently as you harvest them. Avoid pressing on the shells or poking them with your fingernail to test for firmness—it might seem harmless, but even tiny nicks and bruises can invite bacteria and make gourds and pumpkins  targets for rot.

Instead, use sharp shears or a knife to cut the stem, leaving about two inches attached. This extra length helps draw moisture out while drying, and they add a rustic charm if they stay on. If some do fall off during drying, don’t worry—it won’t harm the preservation process.

Before Prepping Your Pumpkins and Gourds to Appear in Your Home: Wash Their Dirty Little Faces

Before beginning the drying process, wash your pumpkins and gourds thoroughly with warm, soapy water to remove soil and bacteria. Then rinse them in a diluted bleach bath for good measure. Pat them dry gently with a towel; no rough scrubbing allowed. You want them clean, not scuffed up.

Return to Top

 

The Drying Process: Two Steps to Long-Lasting Pumpkins and Gourds

Step 1: Dry Out the Shell

Start by drying the outer surface.. Pick a warm, dry space where the pumpkins and gourds can sit undisturbed for about a week. Spread several layers of newspaper on a flat surface and arrange the gourds and pumpkins so they aren’t touching. Airflow is your friend. It speeds up the drying. For even faster results, use a fan.

​Turn the gourds and pumpkins daily to ensure even drying and replace any damp newspaper. Discard any gourds or pumpkins that develop soft spots or begin to shrivel.
​
This phase hardens the shells and locks in those gorgeous colors, setting the stage for the final drying step.

Step 2: Dry Out the Interior 

Now, settle in for a bit of a wait. Thoroughly drying out the interior takes longer—small gourds and miniature pumpkins will need three to four weeks, while larger gourds and full-size pumpkins can take up to six months. That’s right, sadly, if you’re drying big pumpkins, you’ll be working ahead for next fall’s decor!

Choose a dark, warm spot like a closet, attic, or basement for this stage. Keeping the gourds in the dark helps preserve their color, while the warmth aids in consistent drying. 

Lay your pumpkins and gourds on fresh newspaper, spaced apart, and turn them daily, just like step one. If mold appears, wipe it off with a cloth dipped in a bleach-water solution. You'll know your gourds and pumpkins are completely dry when they feel noticably lighter and the seeds rattle around inside like a maracas. In fact, gourds have been used to make rattles.

Return to Top

 

Finishing Touches: Seal for Longevity

Once your gourds are fully dried, you have a decision to make—glossy or natural?  For a glossy finish, go with shellac, paste wax, or even furniture wax. For a more subtle, natural looking protective seal, a matte or semi-gloss varnish will do the trick. Keep in mind that wax sealants need to be reapplied every few months for continuing protection.

​Of course, if what you really, really want is a raw, rustic look that allows you to feel the natural texture of your pumpkins and gourds, you can leave them unsealed. They just won't be as protected as they would be with a shellac, varnish, or wax seal.

If you’ve used carving or wood-burning to add designs to the surface of your pumpkins or gourds, protecting them with a wax, varnish or shellac seal is a must.

Enjoy Your Dried Pumpkins and Gourds for Seasons to Come
​
With proper drying and care, well-preserved gourds can last for at least six months, but with careful sealing, they might bring their fall charm to your home year after year. Whether displayed in a centerpiece, nestled in a cozy nook, or arranged as a unique accent piece, these natural decorations will add a touch of fall charm to your home throughout the season.

Return to Top