5 Things to Do with Pumpkins After Halloween

As autumn weather and October roll in, pumpkins become big—literally and figuratively—on the scene. Sure, they show up in the form of choose-your-own pumpkin patches, warming bowls of soup, and hopefully a pie or two. Of course, pumpkin pie spice arrives at coffee shops around the nation.

Then, they are there as decorations. There are cute miniature pumpkins. There are gigantic competition pumpkins. There are pumpkins in various colors and textures, and at the supermarket, the aisles get overtaken with pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns.

In other words, as tasty as they may be, pumpkins in the autumn are much more than a meal. They are the dedicated décor of the season. But what becomes of all those pumpkins, all those jack-o-lanterns, when all is said and done? Far too many end up in the landfill. It’s time to think a bit more about what to do (and not to do) with pumpkins after Halloween.

What Not to Do with Pumpkins After Halloween

Pumpkins are going to be around for Halloween. That’s just what makes the celebration what it is. However, when the holiday is over, that doesn’t mean those pumpkins must disappear. There are a couple of common things done with pumpkins that should be avoided.

• Don’t put pumpkins in the trash. They are pure organic material, so they shouldn’t be sent to the landfill. They’ll just break down amongst the trash and exacerbate those already overstuffed garbage heaps. Their fates can be much more productive.
• Don’t put pumpkins in the forest to feed the wild animals. Many forestry officials around the world are actively discouraging this because it is harmful to the animals and can contribute to spreading diseases and putting natural ecosystems out of whack.

What to Do with Pumpkins after Halloween

If our pumpkins aren’t bound for the landfill or the forest, then what exactly are we supposed to do with them? What good are they after all the monster costumes and candy bags are put away, right? Some of the answers are obvious. Others might be new to you.

• Eat those decorative pumpkins!

All pumpkins are not equally delicious, but they are all edible. Those pumpkins that aren’t sliced and diced into jack-o-lanterns can become tasty treats. Toasted pumpkin seeds are delicious. Pumpkin flesh can be roasted, whizzed into soup, or slow-cooked into pumpkin butter. It is food, after all. The other good news is that if they aren’t left outside to freeze, pumpkins have months of shelf life.

• Compost Your Jack-o-Lanterns.

For the pumpkins that have been turned into jack-o-lanterns, composting them is much better than tossing them in the trash. They’ll turn into valuable nutrients for the garden next spring, and they won’t cause problems in the landfill. Also, compost the pumpkin rinds from the decorative pumpkins you’ve eaten.

• Can We Bury the Pumpkin?

We absolutely can bury them. If composting isn’t something you do, then you can simply dig a hole in the backyard (or wherever is available) and bury the pumpkin. It’ll decompose over the winter and be composted in situ.

• You Can Donate Pumpkins.

Perhaps there are simply too many pumpkins for one family to eat. The good news is other people might want to eat them. Local food banks and soup kitchens will often take them.

And, though we shouldn’t put pumpkins in the forest, many animals do love to eat them. Shelters, zoos, and animal sanctuaries will often take pumpkin donations to feed to their animals for a treat.

• Pumpkins are a treat for dogs and birds.

Pumpkins can be dried into a healthy jerky snack for pet dogs. They’ll love the flavor, and they’ll love the chewiness. Plus, you’ll be saving money on treats from the store.

They can also be topped and turned into edible birdfeeders for the yard. The birds will enjoy the seeds and sweet flesh. Or, the empty pumpkin can be filled with bird feed. It won’t last very long, but at least it is serving a purpose.

Pumpkins Celebrate Responsibly

Celebrating responsibly isn’t all about being careful with the booze. It’s also about making wise choices for the planet. Decorating with organic produce is much better than buying a bunch of plastic junk, but it’s also important to deal with those decorative pumpkins thoughtfully. That’s how we can keep celebrating Halloween for years and years to come.

Related Content:

• The Surprising Health Benefits of Pumpkin
• 10 Plant-Based Pumpkin Pasta Dishes for Fall
• 7 Awesome Things to Do with Pumpkin Seeds After Making Your Jack-o-Lantern
• 15 Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Treats
• 10 Kids’ Crafts Celebrating Pumpkins

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