Whether you go all-out crazy with your pumpkin carving or take a more serene approach to your displays, you still end up with the same problem after Halloween. What do you do with your leftover pumpkins?

It isn't just the outer shell you need to think about — you also have to decide whether to trash the guts after carving your jack-o’-lanterns or put them to good use.

Here, garden expert Craig Wilson, co-founder of Gardeners Dream, shares how to give your pumpkin a second life once you've closed your front door on the last trick-or-treater.

Once Halloween is over, Wilson suggests putting it to good use in your garden. “Hollow out a fresh pumpkin, remove any leftover decorations and fill it with suitable bird-friendly food to create a simple homemade feeder.”

While you’re scooping out the contents, he also says to save the pumpkin seeds. Let them dry thoroughly before using them in a homemade bird food mix.

“It's a lovely way to make the most of your Halloween pumpkin while giving garden birds a little extra help as the weather gets colder. Just remember to keep an eye on it and remove it before it starts to go moldy,” he adds.

Having a bird feeder is one of the best ways to encourage birds into your yard.

Beyond keeping birds fed in winter, you'll get to watch them swoop in for a meal.

If your Halloween pumpkin is still intact and in good condition, Wilson recommends turning it into a seasonal planter.

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