Pumpkins are a super versatile vegetable. They make great food as soup, roasted chunks, pie, and more. And they also make great compost that will amend the soil to make even more pumpkins (and other plants) the following year. Wildlife loves pumpkins too!

Here’s how to extend the life of your pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns.

COMPOST ‘EM!

Annapolis Compost is picking up on a program Annapolis Green started a few years ago with grant funds in partnership with the City of Annapolis and Veteran Compost. — the Great Pumpkin Drop Off. The company will collect your pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns and turn that haul into compost – Nature’s fertilizer.

SMASH ’EM!

And for a bit of fun, kids (and grown-ups) will have the opportunity to smash those jack-o-lanterns and pumpkins at each site’s “smash station.” This is a fundraiser for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and Annapolis Compost is asking for a suggested donation of $2 per pumpkin.

Just remember: Jack-o-lanterns that have been painted instead of carved can’t be composted.

Annapolis Compost is looking for volunteers for the fun job of helping pumpkin donors and smashers at all the collection sites. Interested? Contact us at bay@annapolisgreen.com or Annapolis Compost at info@annapoliscompost.com.

Here are the collection sites and dates.

Wednesday, November 2
Anne Arundel County Farmers Market, 275 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, 4pm – 7pm

Saturday, November 5
Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, 10am – 1pm
Prince of Peace Church, 1657 Crofton Parkway, Crofton, 1pm – 4pm

Sunday, November 6
Severna Park Library, 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park, 10am – 1pm
Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis, 10am – 1pm

And yes, Annapolis Green will once again sell bags of “Secret Sauce” compost as a unique holiday gift, to be “opened” in the spring. Stay tuned for details.

OTHER IDEAS FROM HOMESTEAD GARDENS

A NATURAL [RE]CYCLE

With Halloween behind us, you may be wondering what to do with your pumpkins. Unless they are rotting, the life of your pumpkin can go further + do good for other living things. Throwing them in the trash is a wasted opportunity. Please consider these beneficial ways to recycle your pumpkins for wildlife.

SLICE UP A SNACK

Chunk your pumpkins into pieces and put them out for deer, rabbits, and squirrels to feast on. If you can, set them out in a visible place to watch and share in the experience with the members of your household.

SERVE ‘EM SEEDS

Did you know that there are about 500 seeds in an average-sized pumpkin? While many of us roast and eat pumpkin seeds ourselves, you can also share them with birds. If you do offer roasted seeds to birds, make sure they are plain, no salt or seasoning. They make a great addition to any feeder or you can just sprinkle them on the ground near the base of trees for birds to enjoy.

CREATE YOUR OWN FEEDER

Birds will love eating bird seed from a homemade pumpkin feeder. Cut off the top half of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds before filling the bottom half with bird seed. You can even carve out trenches and place dowels as perches so they have a nice place to land. Place it in your yard, on a stump or even use sturdy twine to hang it up.

PLANT THE SEEDS

Well, not this second. You’ll want to remove the seeds from inside the pumpkin, rinse them, and store them in a plastic container that has holes in the lid. Consider placing them in the back of the refrigerator until it’s time to plant them at the end of next spring. Sowing seeds + growing your very own pumpkins for the fall is a truly rewarding experience.

There’s still time to decorate for fall + recycle pumpkins after they’ve served an aesthetic purpose. Right now, Homestead Gardens is selling our fresh pumpkins for 50% off while supplies last.