Key Takeaways
- Use the FoodCycler to turn old pumpkins into a nutrient-dense soil amendment to garden with.
- Toss pumpkins in a backyard compost pile.
- Add pumpkins to Fall recipes for people, pets, and birds.
- Use pumpkins and stems to make autumn-inspired DIY crafts.
Halloween is famous for three things: costumes, candy, and PUMPKINS! But what happens to your glowy orange pals after the last trick has been treated and the last costume folded up for yet another year? It’s time to figure out what to do with old pumpkins.
We’re sharing our favorite eco-friendly cheat codes for making your post-Halloween cleanup free of food waste. Here’s what to do with pumpkins after Halloween!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you not throw away pumpkins?
You shouldn’t throw away pumpkins because they decompose in landfills and produce greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. They can also attract unwanted pests and disrupt ecosystems. Plus, there are so many ways to upcycle them!
Can pumpkin go in the garbage disposal?
No, the thick, fibrous consistency of pumpkins and the hard seeds can easily damage garbage disposals. The pulp can also dry and harden in your pipes, leading to blockages.
Are old pumpkins good for the garden?
Yes, many gardeners bury old pumpkins to nourish and fertilize the soil. Better yet, if you’re a gardener wondering what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, you can use the FoodCycler to turn them into a potent soil amendment! Read on for details.
1. FoodCycle ‘em!
The FoodCycler is an indoor food waste recycling machine that uses science-backed, patented Vortech technology to transform food waste into a dry, malleable by-product we call Foodilizer®.
Sure, the FoodCycler makes disposing of pumpkins eco-friendly and easy, but why waste your Foodilizer by throwing it away? It’s packed with nutrients that can be used to fertilize your garden!
2. Garden with ‘em!
You green-thumbed gardeners out there know that one of the best times to fertilize your garden is in the fall before the frost sets in, which usually happens around Halloween. When springtime rolls around, you’ll be ready to kick off a productive season.
3. Compost ‘em!
If you need to know what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, and you don’t yet have a FoodCycler, you could simply toss them in a backyard compost pile.
To add your leftover pumpkin to the mix, you should cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces to speed up the decomposition process. This will help with aeration as the carbon material combines with the “greens” (organic matter), allowing more access for your compost’s aerobic bacteria to feast!
4. Eat ‘em!
As you consider what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, don’t overlook their use as a naturally delicious ingredient in your favorite fall-friendly recipes. Just make sure the pumpkins haven’t been carved and don’t have any signs of rot or mold.
Recipe Ideas:
5. Make Dog Treats Out of ‘em!
If you have a pup companion, you know what to do with old pumpkins! As long as it’s still safe to eat, pumpkin is a healthy dog treat that your four-legged friend will love well after trick-or-treat season is over.
When baked for long periods of time at low temperatures, the pumpkin will dehydrate and become leathery and chewy. Not only is it tasty, but it’s excellent for the oral health of your pet.
FYI: You can totally eat the dehydrated pumpkin too. Why let Bowzer have all the fun? To make this pumpkin jerky a tasty human treat, follow the pumpkin leather recipe in #3!
6. Turn ‘em Into Chicken/Bird Food!
Here’s what to do with pumpkins after Halloween, if you have feathery friends flocking nearby. Chickens LOVE pumpkin scraps, and so do the wild birds in your area. You can even turn your old pumpkins into decorative bird feeders!
Here’s how to make a bird snack-o'-lantern:
- Cut the pumpkin in half or cut a large opening in front.
- Scoop out the seeds and gunk inside.
- Insert sticks for the birds to use as perches.
- Fill the pumpkin with birdseed.
- Hang from tree branches or from the fence of your chicken coop.
7. Craft with ‘em!
Pumpkins and their stems make great craft materials. For example, you could dry the pumpkin stems and use them to crown velvet pumpkins for next year’s festivities. Or, you could make a DIY pumpkin planter.
Order Your FoodCycler Today
Now that you know what to do with old pumpkins after Halloween, let the upcycling begin! The FoodCycler is the ultimate solution, not only for pumpkins, but for all sorts of other food waste you’ll run into all year round.
Shop kitchen recyclers now, and start enjoying effortless food waste solutions!
A Note on Terminology
The FoodCycler® is a countertop electric food waste recycler that breaks down food scraps through a mechanical process into a dry, lightweight by-product that can be used in gardening applications as a fertilizer.
The FoodCycler® and other electric food waste recyclers are not composters, nor do they produce compost or soil, as they do not require additional microbes to break down food waste with bacteria.
We wanted to clear up this common misconception because the term "electric composter" has been used to describe electric food waste recyclers.
