Enjoying Outside, Inside - Ways to Recycle and Share Your Pumpkins with Wildlife

Kristie Ehrhardt • November 9, 2023

Maybe you have a few pumpkins decorating your front porch or maybe you even grew some yourself. I’ve always put my out of season pumpkins in my green waste can but this year I gave our jack-o-lantern to the squirrel family in my backyard. It took them a day to be brave enough to investigate but watching them climb inside and nibble from the top was pretty adorable. Giving them their very own “snack-o-lantern” might even keep them out of your bird feeders for a little while.


I found several other ideas for recycling left-over pumpkins that benefits wildlife. You can place them near windows or other locations where you can see them without disturbing their meal and watch the birds and squirrels scurry to and from their snack. My dogs and indoor kitty also thought it was a fascinating project and spent hours watching them through the windows.


I seasoned and roasted the seeds for us to eat but larger birds like crows, scrub jays and mocking birds love them too. You can roast them without oil or seasoning or just rinse them and let them dry. Watching the birds savor them is totally worth the effort of gutting the pumpkin.


You can make a birdfeeder by cutting your pumpkin in half, hollowing it out (remember to save the seeds!) and filling it with birdseed. Drill a few holes in the bottom to let any water drain, hang from a nearby branch and watch the birds and squirrels feast. You can even run a couple of long skewers through it to provide perches for the smaller birds. It might not last long because pumpkins are about 90% water and as soon as they are cut, they begin to decompose. Chances are that the squirrels are going to nosh on it before it gets too soft though.


If you live in an area where deer, opossum, raccoons or rabbits visit your property, you can cut your pumpkins up into chunks and leave them in areas within your view so you can watch them find their seasonal treats. If you have backyard chickens you can offer them fresh chunks of pumpkin to peck at and I’ve heard that they love the seeds too. Even late season butterflies and moths will enjoy chunks of pumpkin flesh and pulp.


Just be sure to give them fresh pumpkins that have not been painted or preserved and be sure to remove candles or spilled wax from inside any carved pumpkins. Of course, please use caution when feeding wildlife as it can cause additional human-wildlife interactions and if you share an area with bears, it might be best to compost the juicy treat - you’ll still be feeding worms and microbes! If you have room, you can even plant some of the seeds next year. The blossoming vines will provide food for local pollinators such as squash bees, honey bees and other insects.


So, repurpose that “porch snack” and put it next to the window where you can watch your yard pets relish their very own pumpkin season treats!


-Kristie Ehrhardt (kehrhardt@tuleyome.org)


Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

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