Carve a pumpkin
NB: Children should be supervised at all times when using knives
1. Select a fresh pumpkin in a shape that pleases you. Some folks prefer their pumpkins low and round, while others like them tall and oval-shaped
2. Draw a circle or hexagon on top of the pumpkin in preparation for making an opening large enough for your hand to reach through
3. Cut through the stem end of the pumpkin along your outline with a sharp knife. Use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin
4. Remove the stem end, which will act as a cap, making sure you scrape off any seeds or pulp
5. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin. Hold the spoon by its bowl to get extra leverage while scooping. Use the seeds and pulp for cooking or add to your compost bin
6. Draw a pattern for the face on the clean pumpkin with a felt-tip pen, or scribe the lines into the skin using a pencil. Be sure to make the eyes, nose and mouth large enough - you'll have a hard time cutting out tiny features
7. Follow your pattern as you carefully cut all the way through the pumpkin with a kitchen knife
8. Push the cut-out features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces in your compost bin
9. Place a night light inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow
10. When Halloween is over, use a knife to cut the pumpkin in to pieces and add the whole lot to your compost bin.
Find out more
For more information about home composting, visit our composting pages. Click here