The lagenarian gourds are very popular in the world of do-it-yourself creations because of their particularly resistant skin, which once dried lasts practically forever. With these pumpkins you can make beautiful products such as birdhouses, decorative bowls, rattles and much more. Once the squash has turned brown and dried on the plant, it is ready to be harvested and cleaned. Soak your pumpkins in water, scrub the mold off, dry them, then April and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Washing the Exterior
Step 1. Soak the pumpkin for 30 minutes
Dip the pumpkins in buckets of water and leave them to soak. Alternatively, you can cover them with wet towels or leave them running under a sprinkler. After 30 minutes the hard rind of the pumpkin will have softened.
Avoid using hot water as the pumpkin may crack
Step 2. Put on gloves and a mask
Before cleaning the pumpkin, take precautions. Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear rubber gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from the mold growing on the pumpkin.
Step 3. Scrub the pumpkins to remove the zest
Use a copper scouring pad, scouring pad, or other similar cleaning utensils. Press hard as you scrub, but try not to overdo it or you'll risk scratching the pumpkin under the peel. The best thing is to do this work while the pumpkin is wet or still in water: the water will make the rind come off easier and will not damage the pumpkin (as long as the pumpkin is intact).
Avoid using steel wool pads as they can leave metal particles on the pumpkin
Step 4. Use detergent or bleach to remove mold
If the mold forms a whitish layer that is difficult to remove, try throwing liquid dish soap on it. Pumpkin is very durable, so any dish soap will do. Scrub again. If the mold still doesn't go away, try soaking the pumpkin in a 10% bleach solution (ten parts water and one part bleach), or 20 liters of water and 500ml bleach, and continue scrubbing..
Step 5. Scrape away stubborn mold
If washing and scrubbing your pumpkin doesn't seem to work, a sharp knife or electric sander might be for you. Gently place the knife or sander against the rind of the pumpkin. Scrape the mold, being careful not to cut the squash.
Step 6. Dry the pumpkin
You can rinse it again to make sure all the peel has been removed. Once done, leave the squash to dry in a shaded, ventilated area. It should dry quickly.
Step 7. Scrape off any peel residue
It is not strictly necessary to do this, but it is useful to make sure that the pumpkin is totally free of it or even that it is perfectly smooth. Use a sanding block, sandpaper, or an electric sander. Start with 80 paper and then move up to a higher grit number for better sanding.
Part 2 of 2: Empty the Interior
Step 1. Put on protective gear
Rubber gloves will again be useful for handling pumpkins that may still have mold or other harmful substances on them. Work in a ventilated area and wear a face mask to protect yourself from the dust inside the pumpkin. Finally, wear safety glasses when using power tools.
Step 2. Cut the pumpkin
How you go about cutting it and the tool you use depends on what you want to do with it. For example: you can drill a hole to make a birdhouse, or you can cut an opening with a hacksaw or circular cutter to make a decorative container.
Step 3. Remove the internal parts
The seeds and pulp inside the pumpkin will certainly not bother the birds, but if you want to make something other than the birdhouse, they will need to be eliminated. Long-handled tools, such as clay sculpting tools, spoons, or screwdrivers, will help you reach the seeds and scrape the pulp off the sides of the pumpkin.
- If the opening is too small or if the seeds have formed a hard ball, try soaking the pumpkin in hot water for 30 minutes. However, keep in mind that it will take several hours for the pumpkin to dry.
- Pulp and seeds can be stored for other projects, such as re-seeding (soaking pulp and seeds and letting them dry in a single layer) or creating sculptures similar to those made with cellulose pulp.
Step 4. Smooth the inside of the pumpkin
Depending on the product you want to make, this step may be necessary (for example if you want to make a bowl). Use the tool of your choice to smooth. You can then beautify the pumpkin by applying a coat of primer and painting it.
A cleaning ball applied to the drill or a mushroom knife (used to cut mushroom hats) can also be useful for smoothing the inside of the pumpkin
Advice
- Dark green pumpkins are unripe and difficult to dry. They will shrink a lot when drying.
- You can also use pressure cleaners to clean the outside of the gourds, but these will break apart gourds that have a thinner skin.
Warnings
- Pumpkins contain mold and dust, which are dangerous if you breathe. Wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves and a face mask, and work in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear protective goggles when using power tools.
