The Green Parent

Nothing says “Happy Halloween” like a pumpkin. Whether it’s carved or painted, spooky or silly, a pumpkin is a tried and true symbol of the Halloween festivities. They are ridiculously versatile…you can use them as decorations, as side dishes, and even as inspiration for your costume. And growing pumpkins is even good for the environment. According to a report from the Royal Military College of Canada, pumpkins have the ability to remove toxic DDT from the soil. So do something good for the planet and go get some pumpkins!

Here’s how to Green Your Halloween and have a Jack-O-Lantern full of eco-friendly fun with pumpkins.

1. Go Local: Buy your pumpkins (as well as apples and other seasonal produce) from your local pumpkin farm or farmer’s market to save energy and resources that would otherwise be used for shipping, packaging, and transportation.
2. Use It All: If you carve your pumpkin, be sure to save the seeds. Pumpkin seeds can be baked and served as a special treat at home or at your next Halloween gathering. You can also feed them (dry or wet) to the birds and squirrels in your yard. Some zoos even accept pumpkin seed donations for their animals.
3. Compost: When the holiday has past and your pumpkin begins to look a little wilted, be sure to give him a proper “burial” in your compost pile.