The days and weeks after Halloween… pumpkins remain!

We all had tons of fun carving pumpkins with our family and friends and then of course roasting the seeds, but now Halloween has come and gone and we are left with a giant “squash” on our front porch!  Not to worry my dear friends.  There are tons of options available to put your amazing pumpkin to good use following such a fun and frightful eve.  Read through the options below and see which best fits your family and home and then get a little create.  This is a great way to help the Halloween festivities fade into fall and then to Thanksgiving.  And as always, have a happy day!

1. Feed the birds – Remove the topper of your pumpkin and fill it with a great blend of bird seed. It can be store bought or you can make your own.  Set the pumpkin in the yard away from your house (buried a bit into the ground for stability) and watch the birds enjoy their treat.  NOTE: The pumpkin will eventually turn to fertilizer for the area you place it in so if you do not want the area to absorb the pumpkin.
2. Fertilize your garden – This brings us to returning the pumpkin back to the ground. Make great use of it by making an all-natural fertilizer out of it.  When your pumpkin begins to look soft and a bit on the rotten side, it’s time to smash it (or chop it) and mix it into small pieces for your garden.  NOTE: before you do this make sure there are NO seeds inside your pumpkin are you will have pumpkins growing in your garden as well by next year.  Also, be sure to remove any melted candle wax as this will not biodegrade and is not healthy for your garden.
3. Plant some flowers – This is fun way to move your pumpkin to your garden and bring Halloween to your patio (and still have an opportunity to pack up the spooky décor). Simply clean out the inside of the pumpkin and plant some flowers inside. Bury the pumpkin with only about an inch or two of the top showing through to bring the orange color to your garden area.  The pumpkin with break down in the soil and naturally fertilizer your garden and your flowers should love it!  NOTE:  Don’t forget to remove the candle wax and any seeds for fear of adding a new pumpkin sprout to your pretty garden.
4. Create Potpourri – This is a fun idea if you have just recently carved your pumpkin and are not ready to let it go to waste. Also, if you have smaller pumpkins, this is a great way to add décor to your dinner table and a great conversation piece!  (a fun DIY).  Lightly dust the inside of your pumpkin with cinnamon and poke cloves and star anise into the inside (the fleshy part).  Light a candle and a wonderful autumn scent will fill the room.