Geneva’s Pumpkin Smash returns Nov. 9

Instead of throwing away that old pumpkin after Halloween, people can recycle them for free at Geneva’s Pumpkin Smash on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green, located at Peck and Bricher roads. The Pumpkin Smash, which is sponsored by the city’s Natural Resources Committee and the Geneva Park District, is designed to reduce the number of pumpkins ending up in landfills.

Park district crews will till the smashed pumpkins into the garden plots to provide nutrients to the soil. All pumpkin decorations, such as candles, yarn hair, stickers, googly eyes, and plastic ears, should be removed before recycling.

Pumpkin-themed food vendors will be available, and patrons also will be able to bring in those hard-to-recycle items to the event.

Flat Can Recycling has provided a list of accepted items and associated fees on its website, www.flatcanrecycling.com/event/geneva-pumpkin-smash/.

The Community Gardens at Prairie Green is a cooperative partnership between the Geneva Park District, the City of Geneva and the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. The park district offers 131 rental plots and gardening classes to the community.

Garden plots are open from dawn until dusk between April and October. Plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each plot is 20 feet by 30 feet.

Returning gardeners from the 2024 season can sign up for their same plot next year starting on Sunday, Dec. 1. New gardeners who did not have a plot in 2024 may register beginning Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. More information is available on the park district’s website at www.genevaparks.org/facilities/community-gardens-prairie-green/.

People can learn more about the Natural Resources Committee by visiting the city’s website at www.geneva.il.us.