There are several things you can do with your old pumpkins rather than throwing them in the trash.
OLATHE, Kan. –If you're ready to discard all of your old pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, gourds and squash that you've been using for Halloween and fall decorations, put down the trash bag and keep reading.
Putting them into the trash and hauling them off to the landfill creates more waste in the stream, plus an added expense of trucking, said horticulture agent Dennis Patton with the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension.
"Once in the landfill, they do not break down. Instead, (the pumpkins) generate methane gas," Patton said.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Climate researchers report methane is more than 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period.
While your kids' pumpkins might not take up too much space, if you combine it with all those on your neighbors' front porches, it adds up in the waste stream.
A dried-up pumpkin, in which a face was carved, stands on a bench.
(Thomas Trutschel / Getty Images)
What should I do with my old pumpkins?
Patton suggested placing your old pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns in the landscape, like under a bush.
"Freezing and thawing will turn (it) into mush," he said. "Nature will naturally compost and break down. Wildlife can also feed on the decomposing pumpkin."
You could also dig a hole and bury them, letting them compost naturally in the ground. However, watch for sowing any seeds, or you may have pumpkin plants next year.
Patton said you could also add them to a compost pile.
"Composted pumpkins are a good material to add," he said. "(They are quickly) breaking down, creating more compost for the garden."
A viral video shows two hippos snacking on pumpkins at the Philadelphia zoo.The animals are given the pumpkins to get them excited and get them out of their normal routine.
If you have un-carved and untreated pumpkins, Patton said you could donate them to local zoos and wildlife areas, but make sure to call first before dropping them off.
"Many zoos will take the donation to help feed the animals," he said. "Pumpkins, being orange, are full of nutrients."
Livestock and chickens love pumpkins, too. However, you may need to cut up or break them into pieces for smaller animals.
While the pumpkins may be okay for your livestock, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife does not advise leaving your leftover pumpkins out intentionally for wildlife to eat.
"Intentionally feeding wildlife in Colorado is illegal and can lead to a rise in human-wildlife-related conflict," CPW officials said. "Feeding wildlife also habituates wildlife to human forces and causes them to congregate, which can lead to the spread of disease. It can also attract predators to a neighborhood."
Carved pumpkins should not be donated because they can be contaminated with wax or paint. They may also be treated with bleach and other materials to prolong life when displayed.
From a vegetable of necessity to an edible icon, learn how the humble pumpkin experienced a dramatic transformation in American culture.
Lastly, if the Christmas decorations are starting to appear in your home, there are suggestions for those pumpkins still displayed. Patton said you could cook them and turn the meat into a pie, muffins or another tasty treat.
Experts said you should not cook any pumpkins that have been sitting on your doorstep over Halloween.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story did not include the fact that it is illegal in some states to feed wildlife. Check with your local wildlife offices on best practices for discarding pumpkins within your state.
You can bury your pumpkin directly in the soil to break down and provide nutrients for your garden. Cutting the pumpkin up first will help it to break down faster. Make sure you have removed the seeds before burying, or you may end up with your own pumpkin patch next Autumn!
You can bury your pumpkin directly in the soil to break down and provide nutrients for your garden. Cutting the pumpkin up first will help it to break down faster. Make sure you have removed the seeds before burying, or you may end up with your own pumpkin patch next Autumn!
Pumpkins that end up in landfills have a hard time breaking down because landfills function to store material and don't have much oxygen to allow organics to decompose properly. When organic materials don't have enough oxygen to break down, they release methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is harmful to the environment.
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — Halloween is over and some of us might still have pumpkins laying around. Dumping your pumpkins in the woods is a bad idea. A naturalist from the National Wildlife Federation says it isn't good for animals in the wild who will see the old pumpkin as dinner.
But do you know who also likes pumpkins? Squirrels. And they do more than just admire them from afar. They can chow down and ruin all types of pumpkins, because of course, pumpkins are a type of fruit and are delicious to eat for all types of creatures.
Larger pieces can be cut up in chunks and placed in secluded parts of the yard. These pieces provide food for late butterflies and other insects that dine on plant juices. Pieces of pumpkins can be mixed with slices of apples, pears and other fruits and presented in shallow pans.
Large seeds like pumpkin and gourd are particularly attractive to larger birds like blue jays, and best offered on the ground, on a large flat rock or on a platform feeder. Some backyard birds also will eat pumpkin flesh if it's opened and offered to them.
Yes, both the pumpkin flesh and seeds are enjoyed by a number of animals. It's good for you, so you can bet all kinds of critters will enjoy it. Just be sure not to feed animals old pumpkins that have been painted, as the paint might be toxic.
Therefore it is common in our area to leave the crushed pumpkins on the field and give the water and the nutrients back to the soil for further crops (organic fertilizer). In very dry regions, the crushed pumpkins are collected for animal feeding as a cheap source of water.
Turn old pumpkins into a rich soil amendment for next season's vegetable garden. Cut the gourds into small pieces, and either add them to the compost pile or bury them in a trench dug right into the garden bed.
Pumpkins and winter squashes can then be stored in a well-ventilated position at a temperature under 15°C (60°F) and no colder than 10°C (50°F). Watch for signs of rot, and remove any affected fruit immediately. Depending on the cultivar and conditions provided in storage, fruits should keep for up to six months.
Compost them! You can get the best mileage out of a molding pumpkin by composting it. If you already have a pile going, consider breaking up the pumpkin a bit for speedier decomposition. If you'd rather give the pumpkin one more life, you could also consider donating it to your local zoo.
Squirrels, raccoons, deer, moose, foxes, mice, and insects might feast on the delicious orange porch snack you leave near your front door. “How nice of you!” they probably think as they eat their weight in slimy pumpkin goodness.
Some farmers accept uncarved pumpkins as treats for their pigs; check out Pumpkins for Pigs to see what farm near you accepts them. Jack-o-lanterns make excellent additions to your home compost, but be sure to remove any candle wax, paint, or glitter that won't degrade.
If a pumpkin is starting to decompose, the next best option is to turn it into compost. Chop up gourds to help speed up the process before tossing the pieces into a compost pile. Many municipalities have composting facilities where residents can drop off pumpkins and other organic materials.
Squirrels, raccoons, deer, moose, foxes, mice, and insects might feast on the delicious orange porch snack you leave near your front door. “How nice of you!” they probably think as they eat their weight in slimy pumpkin goodness. Keep this in mind when placing your pumpkins outside – you'll likely attract wildlife.
Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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