5 Ways To Reuse Halloween Pumpkins

Don’t just toss those gourds in the garbage. From feeding animals to nourishing your garden, get the most out of pumpkins this fall.

It seems like Halloween came and went in a flash, so get ready to swap out skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns for Santas and snowflakes. Not so fast—what to do with those pumpkins that have been brightening your front porch for the past few weeks? Don’t just toss them into the woods to become critter food and fly magnets: We say get creative!

Let’s first remind folks who want to discard pumpkins that many towns request you don’t include the gourds with regular municipal yard waste collection. That’s because mulchers used to process leaves and grass can’t accommodate larger items like pumpkins and branches. Check with your town for appropriate disposal methods.

Here are other ways to put your pumpkins to good use:

Feed a farm: Instead of trashing pumpkins, why not donate them? Donations to Billy’s New Hope Barn, a nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary in nearby Pennsylvania, can be made at a drop-off location on Levitt Avenue in Bergenfield. Unpainted and uncarved pumpkins are used to feed the farm’s goats, pigs, cows and more that have been rescued. Bergenites looking for more locations where they can donate pumpkins can check out Pumpkins For Pigs, a database of farms and sanctuaries that will gladly accept donations.

Decorate for other holidays: Halloween isn’t the only holiday for pumpkins. If yours haven’t been carved, consider painting them gold for Thanksgiving or red or green for Christmas. For those who want to add pumpkins to their décor but would rather not DIY it, check out the selection of gourds at Pazazzed in Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood or Ginger N’ Cream in Westwood.

Plant inside a pumpkin: A hollowed-out pumpkin can make a great planter and a wonderful addition to your outdoor fall display. Simply fill the gourd with soil and plant your favorite autumn plants: chrysanthemums, goldenrods and pansies, to name a few. When the pumpkin and flowers start to decompose, bury everything in the soil.

Fertilize your garden: If your pumpkin’s already getting soft, you may want to get rid of it sooner rather than later. Simply chop it up (discard the seeds) and add it to your garden as a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Bring in birds: What do white-throated sparrows, Carolina chickadees and northern cardinals have in common? They’re winter birds that love backyard feeders. You can make a festive one by cutting the top half off a pumpkin and filling it with birdseed and nuts. For a few tips, watch the National Audubon Society’s tutorial on how to set up a pumpkin feeder.

What do you do with your leftover pumpkins? Tell us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.