By Blake Jackson
Patrick and Kristy Mitchell, the owners of Patchwork Pumpkin Farm in central Pennsylvania, have had a successful year growing and selling pumpkins. Despite a few rainy days, the farm has been busy every weekend since it opened in September.
The Mitchells credit their success to several factors, including their proximity to major cities and suburbs, their focus on agritourism, and their good yields. They also benefited from the fact that Pennsylvania had plenty of rain in the late summer and early fall, which helped their pumpkins grow large and healthy.
Other pumpkin growers in the state have also had a good year, according to Tim Elkner, a vegetable specialist with Penn State Extension. However, he warns that the market could become oversaturated in the future, as more people start growing pumpkins.
Elkner encourages growers to use this year's harvest to evaluate their crop and make any necessary adjustments for next year. He also advises them to be prepared for the possibility of a soft market after Halloween, as demand for pumpkins typically drops off sharply after the holiday.
Photo Credit: gettyImages-digitalvision
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables