HARVESTING YOUR PUMPKINS
Cut back all existing growth.  Old growth can be put in your compost pile, though I don’t recommend putting the vegetables into your compost.  The seeds will haunt you for years to come.  On my property I have a dedicated area for my pumpkin patch.  I have had great success with salvaging my seeds by allowing my excess pumpkins to decompose in my patch during the winter.  Come spring/early summer the patch will be ready to produce again.

Old tomatoes can be set a side for local wild life.  Do not use them in your compost pile.