Your Decorative Pumpkins After Autumn

Your fall decorations can serve many purposes as winter approaches…

I love the many colors, textures and shapes of fall pumpkins and gourds. Placing them in my gardens, porch and containers are an easy and colorful way to celebrate the fall season. They usually last past Thanksgiving, and can be combined with fall plants, corn stalks and other symbols of harvest. And unlike plastic decorations that eventually end up in the landfill, pumpkins and gourds can go on for greater purposes. Here are some suggestions for using pumpkins now and into the winter.

Save The Seeds

Some pumpkin seeds are fat and good to eat. You can scoop them out, soak them in salt water for a little while, then drain and toast them in a low oven. (Note – the seed coating usually has to be cracked and discarded since it can be tough.) If eating pumpkin seeds isn’t your thing, the seeds can be saved and planted next year. You may get a similar pumpkin to grow, or it may look completely different, which is part of the fun. Pumpkin seeds can also be put out for the chipmunks and squirrels to dine on.

Watch it Rot!

Place your pumpkins off to the side somewhere and watch them decompose. This is especially intriguing for children. Sometimes you’ll be able to watch the entire process as something organic breaks down and goes back to the soil. Other times the critters will eat the flesh and the seeds along the way. In either case, nature’s ways are always interesting.

Got Goats? Or Chickens?

People who keep goats and chickens know that these animals love to eat pumpkins. If you don’t have goats or chickens, perhaps you know someone who does…

Toss Them In The Compost or Even In the Garden

You can toss your old pumpkins into the compost pile, or right into your vegetable garden. Often, people will see a pumpkin vine grow where these were placed. You can either leave that volunteer, or pull it. (Just because a seed germinates in your garden doesn’t mean that you need to let the plant grow…)