Halloween has passed… on to Thanksgiving! But what do you do with the pumpkins you have leftover? In this post, we will go over 4 awesome ideas to put your pumpkins to good use!
Pumpkin puree is easy and delicious to make! Both freshly carved (same day/day after, no wax residue) and whole pumpkins can have a second life as delicious puree. *Use common sense and discretion if using carved pumpkins*
Pumpkin puree is easily frozen (not able to be home canned) for delicious baking all year long! Click on the link below to find out how easy it is to make your own, fresh pumpkin puree!
Do you or someone you know have livestock? All kinds of poultry, hogs, cattle, etc. enjoy pumpkin and all types of squash in the fall season!
Pumpkin is very healthy for livestock and are an economical feed source for homesteaders and farmers.
Don’t have your own livestock? Ask around! There are many farmers/homesteaders who would be happy to pick up any unwanted pumpkins/squash you may have!
*non-painted and non-bleach treated pumpkins/squash only!*
3. Save Your Seeds
Thinking about growing your own pumpkins next year? Or maybe you found a really neat variety that you would like to plant again next year?
Saving pumpkin seeds is fairly easy and an inexpensive way to keep the harvest going year after year.
The simple steps to saving seeds for planting are:
1. Scoop out seeds
2. Wash seeds
3. Label (if saving more than one variety)
4. Dry seeds in cool, dark space (important that the seeds do not get hot!)
5. Package for planting in the spring
This post from Audrey’s Little Farm goes into more detail on how to easily save your pumpkin seeds for spring planting!
4. Decorate!
Pumpkins are not just for Halloween decorations! If you still have some good-condition pumpkins/gourds, save them for decoration the whole fall season!
Come Thanksgiving, small pumpkins/gourds look wonderful on a table scape and larger pumpkins with mums/cornstalks make for beautiful porch decor.
If you live in a colder climate, be sure to cover/bring in pumpkins/mums if there is a freeze/frost chance for the best longevity. If you can avoid freezing, pumpkins last a very long time!
Although many choose to toss their pumpkins after Halloween, if you aren’t ready to part with them- keep them for continued fall decor all season long!
Still not ready to give them up after Thanksgiving?! Pumpkins can easily be painted (or use white ones) and used during the Christmas season too! Look at this cute pumpkin snowman!
With these 4 ideas, I hope you are inspired to re-purpose your Halloween pumpkins!
Tell us in the comments below, what do you typically do with your post-Halloween pumpkins??
