9 Entertaining Ideas for Overripe Pumpkins:
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, and for many, that includes carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns. But what happens when the festivities are over and the pumpkins start to rot? Fear not, for there are numerous creative and sustainable ways to use and dispose of Halloween pumpkins.
Firstly, let's talk about pumpkin seeds. After scooping out the pulp, don't throw the seeds away! They can be cleaned, roasted with your favourite spices, and enjoyed as a tasty, healthy snack. If you're feeling green-fingered, you can even save some seeds to plant in the next growing season. For our feathered friends, dried seeds can be added to bird feeders to attract wildlife.
Moving on to the pumpkin pulp and flesh, there are numerous culinary options. You can use the pulp to make soups, pies, breads, muffins, and smoothies. If you're not planning on eating it, consider adding it to your compost bin to enrich the soil naturally. Some animals, such as chickens and rabbits, also enjoy pumpkin pulp as a treat.
As for the pumpkin shells, there are numerous decorative uses. Instead of carving, you could paint pumpkins with creative designs for reusable fall decor. This not only adds a creative flair but also helps reduce waste. Once the decorations are done, the shells can be composted. For a more festive touch, you could even create a DIY pumpkin arch for your Halloween porch decoration using multiple pumpkins.
In a more practical sense, hollowed-out shells can be used as biodegradable planters for seedlings. After Halloween, they can be chopped up and added to the compost pile. Alternatively, they can be used to feed deer and other wildlife.
In conclusion, these approaches allow you to enjoy pumpkins fully and dispose of them sustainably, reducing food waste while adding creative flair to your Halloween season. So, this year, let's make Halloween a little greener and more creative!
[1] Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/creative-ways-to-dispose-of-halloween-pumpkins_uk_5999680ee4b06e2304808153 [3] Source: https://www.countryliving.com/life/g1408/halloween-pumpkin-decorations/
- After the Halloween fun, you can continue to enjoy your pumpkin by using the leftover pulp and flesh in various home-and-garden recipes, such as soups, pies, or bird feeders.
- Instead of just tossing away the pumpkin shell once the jack-o'-lantern is done, consider repurposing it for home-and-garden projects like painting designs, creating a reusable fall decor, or using it as a biodegradable planter for seedlings, thus promoting a sustainable lifestyle and reducing waste.
