October 30th

By Mutt Mulligan

How to recycle Halloween pumpkins for backyard wildlife

Jack-o-lanterns and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are omnipresent in most neighborhoods during the Halloween season. When the last trick-or-treater has come and gone, you may be ready to chuck your Halloween gourds for good.

But did you know? There are several ways to recycle them with backyard wildlife and your living landscapes in mind. Remember, backyard birds and pollinators help bring our living landscapes to life!

Here are TurfMutt’s top tips for reusing pumpkins in your yard.

• Turn seeds into feed. Many backyard animals and birds will eat pumpkin seeds. Just scoop them out of your pumpkin and let the seeds dry (no seasoning needed!) before placing them on a flat surface or mixed into existing bird seed in your yard.
• Plant the seeds. Save the seeds to plant in your garden next year. There’s something really fun about growing your own produce, and kids love it, too!
• Compost them. Because pumpkins are primarily made up of water, they quickly and easily break down. That makes them perfect candidates for your compost pile. (Pro tip: remove the seeds first if you don’t want to grow rouge pumpkin plants!)
• Make them into a bird feeder. You can take an existing jack-o-lantern and fill it with birdseed to nourish your feathered friends in your family yard. Get step-by-step instructions on this kid-friendly activity.
• Prepare them for animals. Pumpkin flesh is a tasty treat for many backyard animals. Cut your pumpkin into chunks and leave it out in your yard. Make a game of it with your kids by tracking how many days it takes for the tasty treat to disappear!

Learn more about the value of wildlife and pollinators for our living landscapes.