One of our favorite things about Halloween has always been a family trip to the local pumpkin patch. When we lived in California, there was a huge one along Highway 101 in Ventura. We went there every year. We'd put the kids inside a wheelbarrow and roll them around the area looking for those perfect pumpkins. Sometimes we'd go on the hayride that went around the farm. It was pretty fun.
It's hard to believe, but there is only ONE pumpkin patch for the entire area I live in now. It's a really cool place because it has all sorts of things for kids to do -- trikes to ride, hoppity-hops to bounce on, a train ride, farm animals to pet, and so forth. It's a great place. It's also run by a family of homeschoolers and the kids take part of running the patch to learn about various things. The only drawback is that you have to pay a fee to get in. It's not much, but for a family of 4-6 people, that can add up. And, that doesn't include the cost of the pumpkins. The one year we did go, we got there too late and there were literally no good pumpkins left. We ended up buying ours at a local produce shop instead.
Times are hard right now and we couldn't afford to do that this year, so we didn't make it to the pumpkin patch. We did get four great looking pumpkins for $3.88 each at Walmart, but it's just not the same as going to a patch and searching for one. There's not too much I miss about California, but I guess I can add that big, open pumpkin patch to my list. It's just so bizarre that for this entire valley, there's only one patch. Of course, you can buy pumpkins everywhere, so it's not like there is a lack of them. It's just not the same, if you know what I mean. Perhaps in the spring, we can try to plant our own pumpkin patch. That would be fun!
We always get our pumpkins from the supermarket, but the pumpkin patch sounds terrific.
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I hear you Rena. The pumpkin patch here is $9 per person to get in. Not a lot but we have a family of six so it is a lot for us. Then pumpkins are always over $10 the kids pick out because they want the biggest ones the can find.
ReplyDeleteHEB, where Kev is now working, had some for about $4 plus we got an employee discount. I was not only able to pick up one for my boys but for some special little girls too. ;)
It is sad that so many things seem to cost more money each year. Soon, we won't be doing anything at all. I wish I had a green thumb but I have tried so many plants and killed them.
Good Luck if you do the patch!
Sounds like a lot of fun. No PPs around here, although a local church had tons pumpkins for sale.
ReplyDeleteI spent $50 playing at our local pumpkin patch today. Seems like a lot for a petting zoo, corn maze, haunted tunnel, and face painting. Have a tiny bit of buyer's remorse. Would have been cheaper to buy 3 pumpkins at walmart.
ReplyDeleteI went to one didn't need to pay to get in but left with a 1/2doz donuts instead
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful place to pick pumpkins! There aren't any pumpkin places in Cheyenne or surrounding area at all, we have to go to Colorado. It's not far, maybe 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, but still. Darren doesn't like to do that, so we go to a local place here and pick a few.
ReplyDeleteNancy
If you have the space, you totally need to plant your own! It's so easy and gratifying.
ReplyDeleteI like Green Girl's suggestion. If you have enough sun, go for it!. I've got a shady yard, so it doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the pumpkin patches. They're expensive here as well. Most are local farms that make the occasion a festival - corn mazes, pick your own pumpkin, face painting, pumpkin products -bread, butter, seeds, pies, etc. It is fun, but hard on the pocket book!
I have my own little pumpkin patch here in the city. I love it. My husband says it takes up too much of the yard but "Lah-lah-Lah" I cover my ears and just won't listen to any of that.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you do plant your own next year. I'd love to hear what you think. I got about 7 pumpkins out of my little patch. :)