What To Do With Your Pumpkins Now That Halloween Is Over

What To Do With Your Pumpkins Now That Halloween Is Over

Hey Guys,                                                                I hope everyone is doing well. 

Halloween may be over for another year, but for today, I wanted to talk a little and share some ideas on what to do with your pumpkins now that Halloween is over.

Before we dive that in, I was shocked to discover that out of the millions of pumpkins that are grown and harvested in time for Halloween every year, statistics show that only an estimated 20% of these pumpkins get reused. That also suggests that a staggering 80% of pumpkins end up in landfill sites and as a person who's goal in life is to live more sustainably, something about about those percentages didn't sit right with me. So how exactly do we go about reducing the shocking numbers of pumpkins that end up in landfills?

When pumpkins sit in landfill sites, they release methane gas, which as we are aware of by now, is a powerful yet harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. What is also important to consider is that it can take a single pumpkin up to or more than 20 years to decompose in a landfill. These points alone are something worth serious consideration. We can't go on like this, something has to change.

Most people don't actually relate that pumpkins are in fact edible! One of the best things to do with pumpkins after Halloween is using the innards and flesh in seasonal recipes. A quick Google search will inspire you because there are so many amazing seasonal recipes out there which include pumpkins! 

Before you begin carving your pumpkins for your Halloween decorations, slice open the top of your pumpkins and scoop out the innards and flesh of your pumpkins so you have something tasty to use in your seasonal cooking.

This brings me to my next point, once you have eaten as much as you can out of your pumpkins... Halloween is over and you're still left with an awkward amount of pumpkin that you might not be sure what to do with... but fear not, there are plenty of things you can do. 

Chop up and Compost- Pumpkins contain a lot of water so this assists in speeding up the decomposition process. Chop up your pumpkins into smaller chunks and they can break down in as little as 8 weeks. Remove the seeds before you add your pumpkins to your compost pile so that they don't take root. 

Don't worry too much if you don't have a compost pile, there is an alternative... you can also remove the seeds and bury your chopped up pumpkins directly into the ground. The benefits of doing this is that as the pumpkins pieces break down in the ground, they provide much needed nutrients for other plants that are growing in your garden.

Seed Saving is also another thing you can do with the seeds that you have taken out of your pumpkins. To do this, take out the seeds and inside off all of the pulp, afterwards store your seeds in a cool dry place (ideally your fridge or a dark cupboard). Pick the seeds you wish to plant, plant them in April so they should be fully grown, given the right growing conditions, by October, ready for the following Halloween,  which works out great because you have Halloween pumpkins ready for Halloween without spending any money on buying new pumpkins. Reusing your Halloween pumpkins year after year is a very cost effective, environmentally conscious method.
Furthermore its not only humans that will benefit from pumpkins after Halloween is over. Pumpkins are also healthy and safe to eat for all sorts of animals. Before you gift your leftover pumpkins to animals, make sure you remove any paint, ink or other decorations that will make animals sick.

When it comes to giving your leftover pumpkins to animals, you can make bird feeders by cutting off the top of your pumpkin (block off any carvings or holes in the pumpkin first, leaving at least one hole so birds can get in and out!) Create a bowl shape and fill with bird seeds then hang it in your garden to help out wildlife during the colder winter months. 
Its also beneficial to pass your leftover pumpkins to your pets too, I've personally used pumpkin to help when my cat had problems going to the bathroom! Packed with vitamins and fiber makes them great for digestion for dogs and cats (consult with your veterinarian first!!).  If your pets are anything like mine,  a little fussy, a helpful tip would be to blend the pumpki in to a paste or puree and adding it to their regular food.
Finally, you can also donate your left over pumpkins to local animal shelters, farms or zoos as they may accept them and use them as animal feed.
So there we have it. There are so many alternatives out there instead of allowing your pumpkins to end up in a landfill!
Thank you for reading,
Until next time, 
Kim 
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