Better Homes And Gardens Five Little Pumpkins

5 clever ways to use leftover pumpkin in the garden

Violetta Fedin / EyeEm Getty Images

Carving pumpkins is always a fun craft, but what's truly scary is that 12.8 million pumpkins are expected to go uneaten this year in the UK alone. Instead of throwing them in the bin, there are heaps of ways you can reuse them in the garden — and show the planet a little love.

"Pumpkins are barely seen all year until October and then we're stuck with an abundance of them, and there's only so much autumn soup you can make," the plant experts at Primrose say. "There are plenty of eco-friendly uses for your used pumpkin that actually benefit the health of your garden."

Do you have carved pumpkins you want to recycle? Take a look at what you can do with them below...

1. Create a bird feeder

Instead of throwing your Jack O'Lantern in the bin after carving, why not turn it into a bird feeder? Simply cut the top off, hang it in your garden using sturdy string, fill with bird seeds, and watch your feathered friends tuck in. You may even get some other surprise wildlife visitors stopping by...

Carol Hamilton Getty Images

2. Regrow pumpkins next year

Pumpkin patches are great places to pick the perfect gourds, but have you ever tried growing your own? To do this, save the seeds from your pumpkin and briefly rinse them in running water to remove any pulp (choose the biggest seeds as they will have a better chance of germinating).

Once the seeds are clean, store them in a cool, dry spot for one week before placing them in the fridge until April. Pumpkin seeds can be sown as early as April and May, thriving best when they are planted straight in the ground.

3. Use as food for wildlife

Repurpose your leftover Halloween pumpkins to benefit backyard wildlife such as birds, squirrels, butterflies, deer and more. "Many animals can eat pumpkin and it's a welcome, tasty snack during a season where many animals struggle to find food. Squirrels, foxes and badgers all enjoy the taste of pumpkin – simply chop up the insides and leave in dishes for animals to enjoy," says Primrose.

Alternatively, you can also donate your pumpkins to farms as animal feed. Make sure you remove any traces of candle wax if you've used yours for carving.

Natalia Ganelin Getty Images

4. Create a pumpkin planter

To turn an old pumpkin into a flower pot or planter, all you need to do is hollow out the inside and fill it until it's half full with soil. Then, simply pop in a succulent or plant and you'll have a beautiful decorative planter in no time.

"To get longevity out of your pumpkin, make sure you choose plants that prefer the shade, as pumpkins will rot quicker in the sun and let off a nasty stench," explain Primrose.

5. Place it on your compost heap

Pumpkins are a great addition to a compost pile as their seeds are hardy enough to live through the whole composting process. Once you've finished carving ghoulish faces, simply smash up your pumpkin and place it on your compost heap to let nature get to work.

full frame shot of pumpkins for sale at market stall

Cliff Story / 500px Getty Images

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