What can I do with real pumpkins for decorating?
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We love to garden and have always believed there is never too much of a good thing. We amend that statement. Pumpkins took over our garden, choked out our tomatoes and almost everything else. Between the pumpkins and the green beans it was like a tornado building up strength. They actually grew up and over our neighbor's trees and into her yard. OK, so now that we have so many, what to do with them? If you bring them inside, they rot quickly and if you don't stay on top of it you end up with the dreaded mystery odor. If we put them outside, every rodent tells others and it's fair game for attack. If I process them and freeze pumpkin stuff for future baking, I never seem to get around to it as I fear baking. Right now, they are all unceremoniously dumped on our patio table and are safe so far. Help??
About 5 ft off the ground headed next door.
10 answers
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Four answers below. Fifth answer: give to a local day care facility for the kiddos to go pumpkin hunting in their play area outside (they did this for my son and I thought it was a clever idea)
![Snapoutofit]()
Snapoutofit
on Oct 09, 2016
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Donate them to a food kitchen or food pantry for needy families. A food kitchen that feeds hungry people will turn them into something to serve. A food pantry where people come and pick up food for their families can take them if they are interested and for many their kids will have pumpkins to carve where otherwise they would not.
![Barb Ban]()
Barb Ban
on Oct 09, 2016
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There are so many ideas for vast amounts of pumpkins.In the past I did a fall display on my front lawn filling a wheelbarrow with hay and loaded it up with the pumpkins. Surrounding it with scarecrows,mums,cabbages and kale. Truly was amazing. Tp protect the pumpkins simply use a clear spray paint. Then the balance I would do as others said Donate them to schools,charities etc.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Oct 09, 2016
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A non-decorative use for pumpkins...give them to anyone who raises earthworms. I have a red wiggler compost bed and they absolutely love pumpkin. A good way to use the pumpkins that have gone bad or even Jack-O-lanterns after Halloween. They would also be great in a regular compost bed.
![Jane]()
Jane
on Oct 10, 2016
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They can be used for cattle feed in some parts of the country, Don't let tem go to waste. Also , the best thing I ever tasted was pumpkin and winter squash cheesecake
![Ann R.McDermand]()
Ann R.McDermand
on Oct 10, 2016
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Before donating to a food bank or whatever, make sure they are the "cooking" type. Some are JUST for decorating & others are used for cooking.
![Carole]()
Carole
on Oct 10, 2016
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Set them out by the road with a FREE sign. They will be gone in no time.
![Rosa B]()
Rosa B
on Oct 10, 2016
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Maybe your local zoo could use them...I read an article about the hippos enjoying them one harvest season.
![JoLeen Bolton]()
JoLeen Bolton
on Oct 10, 2016
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Donate them to your local school. The kids love to paint them and then take them home.
![Joy]()
Joy
on Oct 11, 2016
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cut the stems off and sell them on ebay! People buy them to use in making velvet pumpkins. Google velvet pumpkins to see examples and on ebay, search "pumpkin stems." People pay good money for real stems!
![Sue P.]()
Sue P.
on Oct 17, 2016
Snapoutofit
on Oct 09, 2016
Barb Ban
on Oct 09, 2016
Jane
on Oct 10, 2016
Ann R.McDermand
on Oct 10, 2016
Carole
on Oct 10, 2016
Rosa B
on Oct 10, 2016
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