What do you do with old Jack-o-Lanterns?

What to Do With Your Leftover Jack-O-Lanterns

Compost it: If you compost, toss it in your compost bin.
Bury it: If you don’t compost, consider burying the pumpkin in your garden.
Feed the birds: Break up the pumpkin and toss it in the woods or bushes where birds can easily get to it.

Are Jack O’Lanterns bad for the environment?

The good news is that using pumpkins for decoration is not too hard on the environment, and it is far better than using plastic decorations. Just make sure you take that last step and compost those jack-o’-lantern remains so those pumpkins can help create a rich soil for other plants next year.

Why do jack-o-lanterns decompose?

The pumpkin’s cells (every living thing is made up of them), will break down over time and especially once you have opened up the pumpkin. Mold and bacteria along with other organisms like worms go to work on the pumpkin! If you toss Jack into your compost pile, he will eventually decay and become compost!

Can you compost jack-o-lanterns?

Yes, pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns can be added to the compost pile, but you will want to follow these tips for the best success. No compost pile? This post includes tips for garden uses for your leftover pumpkin, too.

Will deer eat jack o lanterns?

Deer enjoy eating pumpkins and they can be a very healthy part of their diet. You’ll find that the deer prefer soft pumpkin parts like seeds, guts, flowers, and leaves. You can offer up old jack-o-lanterns for deer to eat after Halloween. But make sure you clean them up and make it safe for deer to eat.

What can I do with my jack-o-lantern pumpkin?

Here’s a list of uses for your jack-o’-lantern pumpkin after Halloween.

Save the Seeds for Eating. Melissa Griffiths.
Save the Seeds for Planting.
Cook With the Extra Jack-O’-Lantern Flesh.
Pickle the Rind.
Compost It.
Bury Your Jack-O’-Lantern Leftovers.
Feed Your Livestock, Chickens or Worms.
Turn It Into a Planter.

Is carving pumpkins wasteful?

The Problem. The pumpkins’ overwhelming presence contributes to food waste. Instead, many of the 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins produced each year are used for decoration. They’re carved and placed on porches, then tossed out when they start to rot.

Are Halloween pumpkins wasteful?

According to Waste Dive 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkin end up in landfill every year. Instead of throwing them out, you can use them to feed local wildlife, on your compost, or even play games for an eco-friendly alternative. These are some of the surprising uses for pumpkins after Halloween.

How long does it take for a pumpkin to break down?

How long do pumpkins take to decompose once cut or carved? Once you’ve carved or cut your pumpkin, you have about three to five days before the rot sets in. This is because you have exposed the softer inner flesh to bacteria and the elements.

Can you compost a whole pumpkin?

Yes, you can compost your entire pumpkin! The skin, meat, stem, guts, and even seeds are compostable. However, pumpkin seeds are quite hardy and will overwinter in your compost pile. If you leave the seeds in, you’re likely to find a few pumpkin plants in your garden next year when you use your compost.

Are pumpkin guts compostable?

Yes! Pumpkin flesh will compost down quite quickly but the thicker rind will take a bit longer – cut it into pieces if you want it to rot down quicker or disappear into the bulk of the compost.

Can carved pumpkins go in the compost?

If you already have a composting bin or area, you can add your pumpkin as you would other vegetable scraps. But, if you’ve never composted before, a pumpkin is a simple way to start. Remove any candles or wax. Place your carved pumpkin in the spot and smash it a bit or allow kids to have fun smashing it a lot.