Halloween’s over, and now you're stuck with a sagging jack-o'-lantern on your porch and a pile of decorative pumpkins slowly going soft. Don't toss them in the trash. There are better, smarter, and even fun ways to repurpose those pumpkins — whether you're into gardening, cooking, DIY projects, or just hate waste.

Here’s what to do with your post-Halloween pumpkins:

1. Compost Them

If your pumpkin isn't painted or sealed with chemicals, it's compost gold. Chop it up, scoop out any candle wax, and toss it in your compost pile or bin. Pumpkins break down quickly and add valuable nutrients to the soil. Even if you don’t have a compost system, some cities offer green waste bins or community composting sites.

2. Feed Wildlife

Pumpkins are safe and nutritious for many animals. Slice them up and leave them in a wooded area for deer, squirrels, birds, and other critters. If you have chickens or pigs, they’ll go nuts for the leftovers. Just be sure your pumpkin is free of paint, glitter, or anything artificial.

3. Make Pumpkin Puree (If It’s Still Fresh)

If your pumpkin hasn’t been carved and is still in good shape, turn it into puree. Just cut it in half, scoop out the guts, roast it, and blend. Homemade pumpkin puree can be frozen and used in soups, pies, muffins, or even dog treats. Skip this step if the pumpkin's been sitting out for a week or more — it’s probably past its prime.

4. Roast the Seeds

Even if the pumpkin itself is shot, the seeds might still be good. Clean them up, toss them with oil and salt (or cinnamon and sugar), and roast them for a crunchy snack. Don’t want to eat them? Dry and save them to plant in your garden next spring.

5. Use Them as Planters

Hollow out your pumpkin and turn it into a biodegradable flower pot. Fill it with soil, add some fall flowers or herbs, and set it outside for a short-lived but beautiful arrangement. Once it starts to break down, plant the whole thing in the ground — the pumpkin will naturally enrich the soil.

6. Donate Them to Farms or Zoos

Local farms, animal shelters, and even some zoos will gladly take old pumpkins off your hands. Many animals love eating them, and some places use them for enrichment activities (imagine a bear smashing a pumpkin). Just call ahead first to make sure they accept donations.

7. Craft with the Leftovers

If you're crafty, try drying the pumpkin skin into leather-like sheets you can cut into decorations. You can also carve out new designs or paint them with winter themes for November décor. Mini pumpkins make great place settings for Thanksgiving, too.

8. Bury It in the Garden

Don’t want to compost? Just dig a hole and bury your old pumpkin. Seriously. As it rots underground, it will feed the soil. You might even get a surprise pumpkin plant sprouting in the spring.

A Quick Note on What Not to Do

Don’t toss pumpkins in the trash unless you absolutely have to. They’re heavy, they take up space in landfills, and when they rot in plastic bags without oxygen, they release methane — a potent greenhouse gas. If you can give your pumpkin a second life, do it.

Final Thought

Pumpkins are more than just seasonal porch decorations. With a little creativity, they can feed animals, fertilize soil, or become your next dessert. So don’t waste them — put them to work.