5 ways to recycle your pumpkin

Millions of pumpkins are sold every year in the UK in the run up to October 31st, but what happens to your unwanted pumpkins in your local area after Halloween? Here we look at pumpkin recycling.

COMPOST BIN

Pumpkins are organic waste, which means they can be added to your compost bin. However, be sure to remove any candles or other decorations before you toss it in the pile. You should also remove all the pumpkin’s seeds if you haven’t done so

already. If you leave the seeds inside the pumpkin, new pumpkins may begin to grow

within your compost pile.

BURY IT

Dig shallow holes into your garden and place small pieces of your Halloween

pumpkins inside. Then, cover these holes with the soil and let nature takes its course. The pumpkins will eventually break down and enrich the soil, therefore improving the health of the flowers and plants in your garden.

FEED ANIMALS

Some animals enjoy eating pumpkins, so you may want to consider feeding the

wildlife in your area with your old Halloween pumpkins. Birds are drawn to pumpkin seeds, so feel free to add these to your bird feeder instead of tossing them in the trash. If you live in an area with deer, cut the pumpkin into small pieces and place them around your garden. Make sure you place the pieces of pumpkin far away from your home, so the animals don’t get too close for comfort.

TURN PUMPKINS INTO PLANTERS

Instead of getting rid of Halloween pumpkins, put them to good use around your home. If you haven’t done so already, cut the top part of the pumpkin off and remove all of the fibrous strands and seeds. Now that the pumpkin has been hollowed, fill it with your favourite flowers or plant and use it as a decorative planter. If you’ve already carved a spooky face into the side of the pumpkin, be sure to line the insides with burlap or landscaping cloth to prevent the soil from falling out.

EAT IT

Pumpkins that have not started to decay yet are still edible. One way to enjoy the pumpkins after Halloween is to make pickled rind. Remove the orange skin with a vegetable peeler and then cut the rind into two-inch squares. Put these pieces, along with 2.5 cups of sugar, 2 cups of white vinegar, and a small piece of ginger into a large pot. Next, bring the pot to a boil and continue cooking until the pumpkin pieces have become tender. Then, place the pumpkin in the refrigerator overnight so it can cool down before you dig into this tasty snack.