Don’t Waste Your Halloween Pumpkins: Here’s How To Compost Them For Your Garden
Countless people love buying pumpkins, carving them into jack-o’-lanterns, and displaying the gourds outside to ring in the spooky season. Yet, once Halloween is over, approximately 1.3 billion pumpkins end up in the trash across the United States each year.
There are better ways to put your old pumpkins to good use! In fact, you can actually compost carved, whole, or even cooked pumpkins in your garden.
In low-oxygen landfills, pumpkins do not break down properly and begin to release methane. So, when they’re composted, they transform into a great soil amendment for your plants (and save you some money on bagged compost).
Here’s how to get started and make your Halloween waste benefit your garden.
Everything You Need To Know About Composting Pumpkins
First, it’s crucial to discuss what’s okay to compost and what’s not. Pumpkins that are whole, carved, and cooked are completely fine, as well as healthy pumpkin plants, pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin skins.
But you should never compost any pumpkins that have been decorated using glitter, paint, hairspray, WD-40, or petroleum jelly. These items may level up your decor design or make your gourd last longer. However, they’re not safe to be mixed into any compost that’s meant for food gardens.
Now that you know what pumpkins can be properly composted, you can officially begin. The composting process can be completed indoors or outdoors in piles or bins. On top of that, you can even directly compost them in your garden.
And before you dump these leftover pumpkins anywhere, be sure to remove any remaining decor. This may include candle wax, ribbons, or anything else that’s not biodegradable.
Andreas – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
Next, you’ll want to cut or smash your pumpkins into tinier pieces, which will allow them to break down faster. Grab a knife and get slicing, or just stomp on them!
It’s important to note that if you notice any mold on your pumpkins, they shouldn’t be incorporated into indoor containers. Rather, they can be added to outdoor compost bins.
Also, if you see any signs of disease or pests on whole pumpkin plants or leaves, simply throw them in the trash or burn them.
If you aren’t interested in any pumpkins sprouting up in your compost pile, you should remove seeds, too. Some people don’t mind getting a few surprise gourds. But for those who do, take the seeds out of uncarved pumpkins prior to composting and leave them near your bird feeder as a treat!
Additionally, keep in mind that a healthy compost pile requires a 3:1 ratio of carbon-rich materials to nitrogen-rich materials. Pumpkins are a nitrogen-rich material, meaning you’ll have to mix in a lot of autumn leaves or other materials containing a ton of carbon.
Plus, to reduce odors and keep pests away, make sure your pumpkins are covered with straw or leaves.
After your pumpkins are placed in your compost pile, don’t forget to “turn” them over at least once each week. Sure, your pumpkins will break down eventually, even if you completely neglect them. Still, turning the pile with a garden fork will make the process go much faster.
As we head into the colder, drier season, remember that the process will drastically slow down if your pile becomes too dried out. In these instances, you can throw in some water to ensure the pile stays moist.
Lastly, you should apply the finished compost to your garden in the spring or summer once they’ve finished breaking down. The compost can be used as a top or side dressing around your beloved plants.
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