Pumpkin Uses - What To Do With Pumpkins From The Garden

Make Food with Old Pumpkins Outside of roasted seeds or pumpkin pie, the flesh can be used in many dishes. It is great added to a spicy Thai stir fry or curry, pureed into soup, thinned with coconut milk as a topping for pecan ice cream, or even add puree to your homemade pumpkin spice latte. The rind is also useful.

What can I do with pumpkins from my garden?

10 Uses for Your Pumpkin

Whip up some pumpkin purée. Pumpkin purée is the number one use for the fleshy insides of your pumpkin, and it's super easy to make. ...
Make a pumpkin planter. ...
Use those guts. ...
Get pumpkin pretty. ...
Create a classic pumpkin seed dish. ...
Feed the wildlife. ...
Make a post-Halloween treat. ...
Mix up a pumpkin cocktail.

What wild animals will eat pumpkins?

Squirrels Eat Pumpkins

Yep squirrels are one of those animals that eat pumpkins, whether they are still growing in your pumpkin patch or whether they are freshly carved at your back door. They will keep going until they reach the seeds, as we all know they love these!

What do farmers do with leftover pumpkins?

Another option is to cut your pumpkin into small pieces for the foraging animals, like squirrels and deer who are fattening up for winter. Or donate it to a local farmer as a treat for their goats and pigs!

How do you dispose of pumpkins after Halloween?

Pumpkins are organic waste, which means they can be added to your compost bin. However, be sure to remove any candles or other decorations before you toss it in the pile. You should also remove all of the pumpkin's seeds if you haven't done so already.

How long will uncarved pumpkins last outside?

Uncarved pumpkins can last two to three months if kept out of the hot sun or freezing temperatures. Carved pumpkins may last only a few days, so time your carving accordingly if you want to display them on Halloween.

Will squirrels eat pumpkins?

Pumpkins are not a squirrel's favorite food. They eat them because instinct tells them they need to fatten up for the winter. If you give them tastier fare—say, peanuts, sunflower seeds, stale bread, crackers—they'll have their fill without spilling pumpkin guts all over the yard.

What animals eat pumpkins at night?

Rodents. Rodents such as mice and rats enjoy nibbling on pumpkins, especially if they're cut open to reveal the soft and delicious fruit. Other rodents may also come to sample your pumpkins, such as squirrels and chipmunks.

Should you leave pumpkins out for wildlife?

“Squirrels, foxes, badgers and birds all enjoy them, so people could leave chopped up pumpkin outside in dishes for wild animals to eat if they choose. ... RSPCA Cymru have – however – advised that once the seasonal spooking is over, pumpkin carvers should double check the fruit is appropriate to feed to animals.

Do any animals eat pumpkins?

Pumpkins are a safe treat for many animals - from pets to livestock. Make sure the pumpkins aren't rotting, covered in candle wax, or painted before feeding. These are some of the animals that you can feed your leftover pumpkins: Cattle.

What happens to all the leftover pumpkins?

You might be tempted just to throw them all away—and that's certainly what many people do. Every year, more than 1 billion pounds of pumpkin get tossed out and left to rot in America's landfills. ... Pumpkins are, after all, a fruit, and uncarved ones can be used as food for people and animals.

What happens to all the unsold pumpkins?

In those cases, the excess pumpkins are typically donated to local zoos, given to a farm's animals such as hungry pigs and eager cattle, or “disced” by farmers and used as natural fertilizer for the land.

Will pumpkins decompose?

Like all fresh foods, pumpkins will eventually rot and decompose. Pumpkins rot when exposed to air, through the process of oxidation, and when they lose moisture, so these vegetables slowly begin to decay once cut from the stem.

Can you put pumpkins in garden waste?

- Yes please, you can put this item in your green outside food waste bin for collection every week.

Can I put pumpkins in yard waste?

As we approach Halloween and you get ready to clean up your decorations, keep in mind that pumpkins can go in your yard debris cart (they are the only food related item that can). If you carved your pumpkin, make sure to remove any non-organic materials like candles.

Can pumpkins go in yard waste bin?

Pumpkins: They're not recyclable, but they don't necessarily have to go in your trash. Whether whole or carved into jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins can be disposed of in your yard waste bin, if you have one. Pumpkins also may be composted.

Does Hairspray keep pumpkins from rotting?

Spraying the cut surfaces with hairspray can also slow down the decaying process. Products designed for anti-humidity work really well. Instead of cutting the stem out of the top of the pumpkin to be carved, cut the hole on the bottom of the pumpkin and remove the piece.

Can you leave pumpkins on the vine too long?

You should leave pumpkins on the vine as long as you can. They'll only ripen and change color while still growing. Unlike tomatoes and bananas, pumpkins won't improve after picking. There are a few ways to determine that pumpkins are ready to harvest.

How does vinegar prevent pumpkins from rotting?

Brush Vinegar and Lemon Juice on the outside of pumpkin (add 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to a quart of water). Rub petroleum jelly on the inside and carved parts of pumpkin. This is supposed to keep the insides from drying out and changing its shape.

Do pumpkins grow back every year?

Every year, the most common question people ask us is, “Do you have to replant the pumpkins every year, or do they just come up on their own?” The answer is Yes! We have to replant every single year, buying new seeds, which is our #1 expense in growing pumpkins.

Do squirrels get drunk on pumpkins?

Squirrels, like the one in this video, will go after your pumpkin. If the pumpkin is fermented, that little rodent will unquestionably react to the fermentation. In short, squirrels get drunk.

What can I spray on pumpkins to keep squirrels away?

Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and 1 small bottle of hot sauce. Add a drop or two of cooking oil. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture, then coat your pumpkins with it. The hot pepper will repel squirrels when they try to bite into your pumpkins.