The night was cool, the air was thick – Linus was waiting patiently in the pumpkin patch, for at the stroke of midnight, up from the ground would rise the “Great Pumpkin.” Those who remember this childhood classic know that Linus never did find the Great Pumpkin. Instead he found the beagle companion of his best friend, Charlie Brown. With Halloween just around the corner, the search for the great pumpkin is on. When browsing the pumpkin patch or digging through the piles at the local retail outlets, here are some tips to finding the winners and leaving the dogs behind:

There are many options to choose from when picking the family pumpkin. A wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and textures make the decision fun and exciting. But with so many options available, about the only accurate measure of maturity is to check the rind or skin. Mature pumpkins have a tough, waxy-feeling surface. The tougher the skin, the less likely the pumpkin is to dry out or rot. To test the skin, use your thumbnail to press on the outer layer. Mature skin should not be able to be penetrated easily. If you can break the skin, the pumpkin is immature and probably will not last long.

Keep in mind that stem color is no longer a sign of pumpkin maturity. We used to harvest pumpkins when the stems turned brown. However, many of the newer varieties have stems that stay green. But if a stem is leaking sap, no matter if it is green or brown, it probably has not matured and will most likely lead to a shortened life.

Once the pumpkin is home, let the decorating begin! Wait a few days to carve the pumpkin as carved pumpkins shrivel and mold quickly. After cutting, rinse the cut surfaces, inside and out, with a diluted bleach solution to help prevent molds and rots. Likewise, keep the pumpkin in a cool place as long as possible. Under a covered porch on the north or east side of the house is best. Sprays designed to preserve pumpkins can be found on the Internet, but hair spray works just as well. The hair spray has a lacquer-type material, and spraying it on the cut surface will help prevent drying out.

Many people now prefer to paint pumpkins so they can enjoy them throughout the season. Use acrylic paints and make sure the pumpkin surface is dry before applying. After the paint has dried, seal the surface to prevent chipping or flaking. You can also use dry-erase markers or a combination of paint and markers.