Mum searches peak at the end of September and fall off by mid-October. Pumpkin display searches don't. They hold near their peak through the whole month, because people keep decorating right up to Thanksgiving.
A pumpkin display at the front door is the easiest way to make a porch look like fall, and uncarved pumpkins last from early October to late November. The trick to making it look designed rather than dumped is height: group pumpkins at three different heights, tallest at the back.
Group in threes and fives
Odd numbers look natural. Make one main group of five pumpkins, or two groups of three either side of the door.
Three heights
- High: one tall pumpkin on an old crate, stool or upturned pot.
- Middle: two or three medium pumpkins on the ground in front.
- Low: small gourds scattered at the base.
The height difference is what makes it look styled.
Mix colors that aren't orange
Heirloom pumpkins come in beautiful muted colors:
- Cinderella (Rouge Vif d'Etampes): flattened, deep red-orange.
- Jarrahdale: blue-gray.
- Long Island Cheese: pale tan.
- Lumina and Casper: white.
- Fairytale (Musquee de Provence): green turning to tan.
A mix of blue-gray, cream, sage and dusty orange looks sophisticated and ties to any door color.
Add corn stalks or grasses
A bundle of dried corn stalks tied to a porch post, or a pot of ornamental grass, adds height behind the pumpkins and makes the display feel bigger.
A mum or two
A single rust or burgundy mum in a terracotta pot among the pumpkins adds living color. When it fades, the pumpkins carry on.
Making pumpkins last
Uncarved pumpkins can last two to three months if:
- The stem is intact. Don't carry them by the stem.
- They're kept dry. Put a piece of cardboard or a tray under them on damp porches.
- They're out of direct hot sun in early October.
- You wipe them with a cloth dampened in diluted vinegar to slow mold.
Check the bottoms weekly for soft spots.
After Halloween
Take away any carved pumpkins on November 1st. Keep the uncarved display through Thanksgiving. Afterward, many heirloom pumpkins are delicious; Cinderella and Fairytale make great soup.
Displays for different doors
Wide front porch: two groups either side of the door, each with five pumpkins at three heights.
Narrow stoop: one group on the hinge side of the door, stacked vertically.
Steps: a cluster on the top landing and one or two on the bottom step.
No porch at all: a group around a planter or bench by the front path, or at the base of the mailbox post.
Painted or natural?
Painted pumpkins in matte white, black or soft blue are popular, but painting shortens their life because it traps moisture. Real heirlooms in their natural colors look better and last longer. If you want painted ones, use faux pumpkins and store them year to year.
Where to buy heirloom pumpkins
Farmers' markets and pumpkin patches have the best variety and prices. Grocery stores increasingly carry white and blue-gray pumpkins too.
What it costs
- Five heirloom pumpkins: $25 to $80.
- Gourds: $5 to $15.
- Corn stalks: $5 to $15 a bundle.
- One mum: $5 to $15.
Mistakes to avoid
- All the same size. Vary heights.
- Only orange. Mix colors.
- Pumpkins directly on wet porch floors.
- Carrying pumpkins by the stem.
Pumpkin display FAQ
How do you arrange pumpkins on a front porch?
In groups of three or five at three heights: one raised on a crate, medium ones in front, small gourds at the base.
How long do pumpkins last on a porch?
Uncarved, two to three months if kept dry and out of hot sun.
What are the prettiest heirloom pumpkins?
Cinderella, Jarrahdale, Long Island Cheese, Fairytale and white Lumina or Casper.
Can you eat decorative heirloom pumpkins?
Many heirlooms, like Cinderella and Fairytale, are excellent for cooking if they haven't been sprayed or sealed.
