What do you do with leftover pumpkins?
We recently read that dumping used pumpkins in woods isn't the best idea, so what is?
The Woodland Trust spend a great deal of time picking up pumpkins that have been left in the woods after Halloween. It may appear a thoughtful thing to do, letting the pumpkin rot back to nature and enabling creepy crawlies to enjoy it too. But unfortunately, it unbalanced the soil and disturbs the natural eco-system that exists there. We didn't know it, but pumpkins that sit on land release methane gas, which is a harmful greenhouse gas and contributes to global warming.
We thought it would be a good idea to find out what you can do with them instead.
01
Compost them
Pumpkins are a great source of nitrogen for compost bins. It helps if the pieces are cut very small as it helps them decompose much quicker. It makes good compost that can be mixed into your soil or used as mulch. Cheaper than fertiliser!
02
Feed to wildlife
Leave the leftovers for little wildlife creatures. Did you know chickens also like pumpkins. Can you imagine what the egg yolks would look like? Pumpkin contains beta-carotene, a carotenoid that gives them the orange color.
03
Bird Feeder
Make a bird feeder: It may not last forever but why not cut the top off a pumpkin, turn it into a bowl, and fill with bird seed.
04
Make some soup
It's amazing to think people throw away the middles when carving pumpkins. We know it is a healthy, hearty vegetable and makes very good soup, mash and can also be roasted. Try the BBC Good Food recipe - it would be perfect for bonfire night or winter alfresco dining.
05
Save the seeds
People buy pumpkin seeds in supermarkets, but here you have your own. They're full of goodness including beta-carotene which our bodies can turn into vitamin A.
Vitamin A is important for eye and skin health, and also our immune system. Did you know that a cup of canned pumpkin contains more than 200% of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A. Imagine what fresh can do.
06
Donate to a zoo
Donate to a zoo We have seen lemurs loving the leftovers at the Lake District Wildlife Park!