Compost Compost your pumpkins

ocean_brez · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2008, 04:36 PM

from: Going Green - Environmental Issues and Global Warming News - Green Living Tips

After you've finished celebrating Halloween, compost your jack-o-lanterns, instead of tossing them in the garbage (unless, of course, you are going to be turning them into yummy pumpkin pie, muffins or even flan).

Pumpkins, which of course are 100% natural, will break down quickly as compost in your yard, providing you with valuable nutrients for your lawn or garden. As you probably know by now, pumpkins aren't exactly light, so they otherwise take a considerable amount of fuel to haul to the landfill -- plus their bulky size means they take up space. To get the best results in your compost bin, act like Billy Corgan and smash up the pumpkin a bit to provide more surface area. Layer with other types of materials, like shredded leaves, green weeds or grass clippings. If you really want to go all out, add manure, or a nitrogen supplement like cottonseed meal, bone meal or dried blood. Keep the pile moist and turn it over frequently.
If all that sounds like too much work, don't worry about it. In most areas, you can simply toss things in a pile, and just alternate materials as you get them. It may not make the most super-dooper compost, and it may take a little longer to break down, but you'll still get some nice nutrients, and you'll be helping the planet one little bit at a time.

mmandjsmom · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 03:25 PM

My pumpkins are in my compost bin already. It is very messy crushing 6 pumpkins!!!

kristen.c · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 07:49 PM

Don't forget to compost your pumpkins this year!

wyo-helpmeet · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 12:03 AM

I composted mine AND got the neighbors for compost last year. This year, the chickens will have at them than the skins will go to compost!

IFALLSMICHELLE · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 02:07 PM

That is what we do too. Although I forget if we put them outside of the bin last year for the deer.

OHeather · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the reminder!

queenofthehivemomof5 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:35 PM

One year I composted my pumpkin guts...(seeds and stringy stuff) and soon after had a pumpkin patch in my compost bin. LOL

I now have artificial pumpkins...I guess I am just too lazy these days to deal with the mess of it all. LOL Plus I can reuse them from year to year...