What’s Next for Mr. Jack-o-Lantern?

Every year, one billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in the U.S., including at least 100 million pounds in every state. Unlike many other aspects of your Halloween experience, pumpkins don’t come in difficult-to-recycle packaging, which should make proper disposal easy as (pumpkin) pie.

Pumpkins are a unique holiday decoration because they are entirely natural, yet a majority of the “nature” gets thrown out once they’re carved and Halloween is over. So, how can you make sure that the entire pumpkin is used and not put into a landfill? There are few simple solutions:

Pumpkin Seeds

A favorite fall snack, pumpkin seeds are almost always removed from pumpkins whether you are carving or cooking. To remove the seeds, cut the top of the pumpkin off and scoop out the insides. Then wash the seeds in a colander, to remove the flesh of the pumpkin that also got scooped out.

To bake: Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and lay the pumpkin seeds out in one layer. Sprinkle with any seasoning you might want (salt, cayenne pepper or garlic salt are quite tasty). Bake in a 350º oven for 10 to 20 minutes. Let cool, and enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie or Soup

From soup to seed to compost pile, pumpkins offer more then just decor.

If your pumpkin or jack-o-lantern is still in good (ie: “fresh”) condition, making it into soup or pie is a great way to finish off your holiday with some additional treats! Either way you approach it, you will need to cook the pumpkin so the flesh gets soft and workable. You will also need to remove the peel. For more detailed instructions, visit RecipeTips.com.

Composting

If cooking isn’t your coup of tea (or soup), the best way to dispose of your pumpkin is by composting. To provide a quick definition, “composting” is the decomposition of organic materials to produce nutrient-rich soil enhancer.

Both the pumpkin, as well as its seeds, can be composted. In fact, pumpkin seeds themselves are a strong source of nutrients, including zinc, iron and phosphorus. Compost piles rely on a mix of nitrogen-rich greens (which will include pumpkin components) and browns (leaves, paper and other carbon-rich materials). So, Halloween is the perfect time to compost, because you’ll not only have leaves falling before winter, but your pumpkin to also add to the mix.

Next Year

Now that you’ve got your pumpkin breaking down in the compost, what’s next? How about a pumpkin patch of your very own? Lots of communities have pumpkin growing contests in October. Use the nutrient rich compost you get over the next few months to grow your own garden, and come next summer, get your own pumpkin seeds in the ground and ready to grow.

Trey Granger contributed to this story.