From Porch to Purpose: How to give your pumpkins a second life
By Brandi Cummings
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SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — Halloween may be over, but those Jack-O’-lanterns and pumpkins still sitting on porches across Northern California don’t have to go straight into the trash.
There are plenty of eco-friendly — and even creative — ways to give them a second life.
If your pumpkin isn’t painted or coated in wax, composting is one of the best disposal options.
Pumpkins are rich in nutrients that help create healthy soil.
Simply remove any candles or decorations, chop the pumpkin into smaller pieces, and toss it into your compost bin or pile.
You can also turn pumpkins directly into garden fertilizer.
Bury the pieces in your garden beds, cover them with soil, and let nature do the rest.
Over time, the pumpkins will decompose and enrich the earth for next year’s plants.
Whatever you do, try to keep your pumpkins out of the trash.
When they end up in landfills, they release methane gas.
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