• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • BOSTON BETTER BEER BUREAU
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Greater Boston's Alternative News Source

STATE WIRE: HERE’S WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR ROTTING DISGUSTING PUMPKINS

Written by LILY BOHLKE Posted November 8, 2021 Filed Under: LIFESTYLE

Recycle Jack-O-Lanterns, Use Pumpkin Seeds as Birdfeed


Now that Halloween has passed, groups recommend recycling leftover jack-o-lanterns, rather than sending them to landfills.

Pumpkins are 90% water, and David Mizejewski, a National Wildlife Federation naturalist, said once the seeds are removed, they break down quickly and can make a good addition to your

compost pile. If you don’t have a compost pile, he said some local recycling centers, nearby farms or community gardens may collect old pumpkins for composting.

“If your pumpkins are not, like, really, really squishy and rotten, you can also crack them open and leave a couple of them out in your yard,” he said, “and they’ll be a nice little treat for the birds and the squirrels, and some of the other wildlife.”

Generally, he said, the federation recommends against feeding wildlife, especially mammals, but it’s OK to give the local wildlife a once-a-year treat of a pumpkin or two, as long as it hasn’t been painted or sprayed with anything to keep out pests. However, he added, it’s important not to go overboard, and to avoid leaving pumpkins out if you live in an area with a rat problem.

Mizejewski said pumpkin seeds also have a variety of uses. He said you can use them to grow your own pumpkin plants for the spring.

“Now, not only is that going to result in you having your own little private pumpkin patch,” he said, “but the flowers that pumpkins put out, pumpkins are part of the squash family and they actually can be an important source of nectar and pollen for some of our wild native bees.”

He recommended toasting the seeds as a treat for yourself or scattering them raw outdoors or in bird feeders for backyard birds. He noted there’s more information on how to create wildlife-friendly landscapes in your yard online at nwf.org/garden.

LILY BOHLKE
+ posts

Lily is a reporter and producer for Public News Service & Pacifica Network

    This author does not have any more posts.

Filed Under: LIFESTYLE Tagged With: Halloween, holiday, pumpkin, Recycle

WHAT’S NEW

State Wire: Mass Legislation Aims To Improve Language Access For All

State Wire: Mass Legislation Aims To Improve Language Access For All

State Wire: Mass Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

State Wire: Mass Launches Free Legal Advice Hotline Regarding Abortion Care

State Wire: Mass Bill Would Tighten Restrictions On Facial Recognition Technology

State Wire: Mass Bill Would Tighten Restrictions On Facial Recognition Technology

Mass Higher Ed Advocates Urge More Investment In Students 

Mass Higher Ed Advocates Urge More Investment In Students 

Guest Opinion: Promoting Metal Detectors In BPS Perpetuates Dangerous Narrative

Guest Opinion: Promoting Metal Detectors In BPS Perpetuates Dangerous Narrative

State Wire: Mass Leads Nation In 'Green' Building Development

State Wire: Mass Leads Nation In ‘Green’ Building Development

Primary Sidebar

LOCAL EVENTS

AAN Wire


Most Popular

  • Think Massachusetts Cannabis Prices Are Low Now? Just Wait Six Months!
  • A New Beginning For Formerly Incarcerated Women
  • Why Are Cannabis Prices Really Crashing?
  • Jerrod Carmichael Has First Show After Coming Out—At the Wilbur In Boston
  • Dig This: Thousands Of Furries Flocking To Anthro New England 

Footer

Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Advertise

Customer Service

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an email blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: sales@digboston.com To reach editorial (and for inquiries about internship opportunities): editorial@digboston.com