What do you do at a pumpkin patch business?
Business Overview. Also called a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin farm is a place to harvest pumpkins. Pumpkins are priced by weight, and a lot of pumpkin farms sell other seasonal products like corn, apples, and Halloween decorations. Other pumpkin patches offer entertainment, like corn mazes and hayrides.
Can you sell pumpkins from your pumpkin patch?
Farmer’s market associations, market cooperatives, and food associations are your friend, as they can help your business succeed and expand. A very successful pumpkin farm can even sell pumpkins to local grocers. While rare, some pumpkin patches may expand to providing pumpkins to large-scale produce providers.
How do pumpkin farms make money?
Pumpkin farms make money by selling pumpkins. Normally, pumpkins are sold by size or weight. Some pumpkin farms may offer hayrides or corn mazes for entertainment. Others may sell pumpkin carving stencils and tools. Get creative! Most pumpkin patches are similar, so those offering unique products can become local favorites.
How do I start a pumpkin patch farm?
Pumpkin farm owners have several responsibilities. First, they need to plant pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin patch owners need to determine sunny, fertile areas. They also need to take care of drainage and watering. Soil needs to be tended to, and weeds need to be removed. The patch needs to be fertilized, and disease needs to be warded off.
What to do at a pumpkin patch?
How to advertise a pumpkin patch?
How to reach your customers in your area?
How much did Americans spend on pumpkins last year?
What is a good banner for a pumpkin patch?
Why is selling pumpkins worth it?
When do pumpkin patches open?
See 4 more
About this website
How much are pumpkins worth per acre?
Pumpkins Crop GuideEstimated Cost$600 – $800 per acreMarket OutletsWholesale, grocery store, farmers markets, roadside stands, pick-your-ownMarket PotentialGood, but seasonally restrictedYield Potential15,000- 30,000 lbs/acreProfit Potential$0 to $1,000 per acre9 more rows
When should I start a pumpkin patch?
Most pumpkin plants take between 75 and 100 growing days to produce fruit. Remember, you'll want to get your seeds started no later than late May in most cases. But if you live in a warmer climate with a long growing season, you may be able to get away with starting your pumpkins as late as July.
How do you grow a successful pumpkin patch?
0:081:56How to Grow a Pumpkin Patch : Pumpkin Gardening - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you plant the seed you can compact it put it in the ground. And get nice soil and niceMoreSo when you plant the seed you can compact it put it in the ground. And get nice soil and nice covering around it. So the secret to growing some big pumpkins is of course your variety of seed.
What are pumpkins worth?
The average price of a pumpkin has increased by 3.63% in 2020, to $4.18 from 2019's $4.04.
Can you make money selling pumpkins?
"If you put a little work into it and manage your crop properly with respect to disease, insect and irrigation control, it can provide as much or more profit than row crops." Andersen said a good yield for an acre is about 1,000 pumpkins. At 7 cents a pound for an average 20-pound pumpkin, the gross income is $1,400.
How do I keep weeds off my pumpkin patch?
Black plastic mulch or a 2-4-inch layer of organic material will keep weed seeds from germinating. After weeds have sprouted, regain control by pulling, tilling or hoeing. A scuffle, or action hoe, works well where mulch is thin before the pumpkins begin to vine.
How long does pumpkin take to grow?
90-120 daysGenerally, pumpkins take 90-120 days to mature after seeds are planted, depending on the variety. Pumpkins are ripe when they are fully colored and have a hard rind and woody stem. Carefully cut off the stem with a knife, leaving several inches of stem on the pumpkin.
Where is the best place to plant pumpkins?
Pick a spot in full sun with space for sprawling vines to run: 50 to 10 square feet per plant. If space is limited, plant at the edge of the garden and direct vine growth across the lawn or paths. Vines will be bothersome for only a few weeks.
How do I start a pumpkin farm?
Start a pumpkin farm by following these 10 steps:Plan your Pumpkin Farm.Form your Pumpkin Farm into a Legal Entity.Register your Pumpkin Farm for Taxes.Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card.Set up Accounting for your Pumpkin Farm.Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Pumpkin Farm.Get Pumpkin Farm Insurance.More items...•
Why are pumpkins so expensive?
This wetter-than-usual summer spoiled some pumpkin farms across the nation, creating ideal breeding grounds for pests that can wipe out entire harvests. The fewer pumpkins available for purchase, the more expensive they could be.
Are pumpkins cheaper at a pumpkin patch?
patch route. “Skip the pumpkin patch,” recommends a writer at Hot Coupon World, who notes that the patch pumpkin “cost per pound is often twice the cost per pound of what you can find in your local grocery stores” thanks to all the patch extras (like hayrides and hot apple cider).
How long do pumpkins last?
"If the pumpkin was healthy when picked and diseases were controlled in the field, the pumpkin can last 8 to 12 weeks," he says via email. He adds jack-o-lanterns don't fare as well: They last five to 10 days. The best storage temperature for pumpkins ranges between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, he says.
Is it too early to get a pumpkin?
When should you buy your pumpkin? Anytime in the month of October in the run-up to Halloween is a perfectly appropriate time to purchase your jack-o-lantern. Pumpkins last 8 to 12 weeks after they are picked, it's after you carve it that the clock starts ticking.
How do you prepare the soil for a pumpkin patch?
To prepare a soil bed for pumpkins, select the size of area you are going to prepare (bearing in mind pumpkin plants will need a good deal of space, vines can run 25 feet or more) and dig down two to three feet and then backfill with a rich compost and manure mix.
How late can you plant pumpkins?
Pumpkins generally need to be planted outside after the last chance of frost has passed. However, pumpkins grow more quickly in warm weather, so if you live in a warmer climate, you can plant pumpkin seeds as late as mid-July.
What to put under growing pumpkins?
Having a bed of sand underneath your pumpkin allows it to grow more easily. It makes sense, think about how easy it is to have sand flow through your fingers. It's made up of many small particles. Allowing less friction than if you were growing directly on soil.
Include lots of fun activities
Take inspiration from California’s Rancho Siempre Verde farm, which runs its very own Fall Pumpkin Picking Festival each year. Activities include tractor rides, ‘cut your own flowers’ sessions, wreath making and, of course, pumpkin picking. Nice!
Add a foodie focus
Adding a foodie focus to your pumpkin patch event is a great way to entice even more attendees. We’re thinking: delicious home-cooked soups, casseroles, cakes, and other delectable goodies from the produce of your farm.
Make it Instagrammable
Pumpkin picking might be an old tradition, but it’s got serious digital-era-appeal thanks to the Instagrammable nature of Halloween’s gnarliest veg.
Sell merchandise with ticket add-ons
If you’re putting on an epic pumpkin picking event, selling merch is a great way to turn a bit of extra profit while giving attendees the chance to buy fun souvenirs.
Create a spooky Halloween trail experience
Turn your farm into a spooky haven of fun and excitement with an atmospheric trail through surrounding woodland, or even through a maze!
Keep an eye on pumpkin variety trends
Serial pumpkin-pickers are sure to want to get their hands on a whole range of funny-looking pumpkins… in fact, for some, the uglier and wartier the better! So it’s always good to keep an eye on pumpkin variety trends each year to keep your events competitive and the tickets selling out thick and fast.
Put on a pumpkin decorating workshop
If arts and crafts are your thing, combining a pumpkin carving and decorating workshop with your u-pick event could be a great way to offer a little extra to attendees. Throw some tasty drinks and sweet treats into the mix for a fully festive experience.
A Little Bit About Pumpkins
A pumpkin is technically a type of squash. It’s in the same family as melons and cucumbers.
Pros and Cons of Growing and Selling Pumpkins
Here are a few things to consider before beginning a pumpkin business:
The Finances of Growing and Selling Pumpkins
As you consider growing and selling pumpkins, here are a few key pieces of information:
The Best Type of Pumpkins To Grow and Sell
When you’re first starting out, your best bet is to choose the types of pumpkins that are easiest to grow.
Marketing and Selling Your Pumpkins
Even though pumpkins are in high demand in the fall, you’ll also be competing with many other pumpkin growers, so you need to be strategic about marketing and selling your plants.
Is Pumpkin Growing Right for Me?
Now that you know a little bit about the pumpkin growing business, it’s time to determine if you’re a good fit for it.
Final Thoughts
Even for a new gardener, pumpkin-growing can be a promising source of side income.
What to do at a pumpkin patch?
Hayrides are like a fun carnival ride to them. You don’t have to do anything elaborate, just hook up a trailer filled with hay bales to a tractor and slowly pull riders around an area you’ve marked off. As alluded to above offering something like a hay ride can help provide an experience rather than just a product. A corn maze, whether simple for kids or difficult for adults or both, can accomplish the same thing. Both of these will help to differentiate your patch from a simple roadside stand or pumpkins in front of the local retail store. Help create a yearly tradition for families that are enjoyable for all members of the family and you will also create loyal customers who return year after year for a festive fall family night.
How to reach your customers in your area?
One really effective way of reaching your customers in your area is to integrate or market through local institutions. For example, by offering additional activities such as corn mazes, hay rides, etc. (as discussed below) you can then partner with local schools. The children coming to your pumpkin patch can either buy pumpkins as part of the field trip or in the more likely scenario talk about it enough that the rest of the family returns to buy pumpkins and experience the rides/food. Restaurants such as Chick Fil A do these types of promotions and marketing through local schools extremely effectively. Likewise, toy companies and fast food chains have known for years that if you can market to children on a consistent basis then eventually their influence on the buyer will result in a purchase. There’s even a term for such behavior, “the nag factor”, which is pretty self-explanatory within the context! That doesn’t mean pumpkin patches need to be devious in their marketing but that by promoting through schools pumpkin patches can successfully implement the same type of tactic and reach the actual buyers in their local area!
How to advertise a pumpkin patch?
We would actually recommend just placing signage in the right places and keeping your pumpkin patch at the original location. Advertise where there is guaranteed traffic on busy roads and then lead them step by step or turn by turn with directional signage to a location that allows you to make it more of an experience. While the primary signage should be large enough for easy reading while driving, the directional signage doesn’t need to be oversized banners but simply visible enough (think yard signs or posters) to direct customers to your location without them getting frustrated. Thus, costs will remain low despite the increased signage. The ability and importance of creating an experience at your normal location is discussed at length below.
How much did Americans spend on pumpkins last year?
Last year, Americans spent $308 million on pumpkin-flavored products! Even though people love pumpkins and this time of year, this love and season only lasts for a couple of months, which is a challenge for pumpkin patch owners and operators.
What is patch window?
An extremely small window to effectively market your patch to potential customers and get them to visit AND buy from you.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
If the weather doesn’t fully cooperate, you’re going to have crop failures or supply shortages. Setting your pumpkin patch apart from local competitors and price competition.
Why is selling pumpkins worth it?
Go in with the mindset that selling pumpkins is only a small fraction of what your job entails, but that maintaining the fields and harvesting the pumpkins is worth the time because it provides you with a profit and a product enjoyed by millions of people.
How far apart do you plant pumpkins?
Every year my dad and I till up a field and dig holes where each plant hill is going to be. The hills are spaced anywhere from four to twelve feet apart, depending on the variety of pumpkin. We put a shovelful of cow manure in each hole (thanks to our local dairy farm). We also put in a few cups of organic fertilizer: cottonseed meal, lime, rock phosphate, ashes, and kelp meal. Then we mix it all together with soil.
Do pumpkins get bigger in summer?
For the rest of the summer all I have to do is water the pumpkins and watch them get ripe. You can actually see them getting bigger and bigger every day!
How to reduce weeds on pumpkins?
Mulching, which you’re already doing for moisture retention, will go a long way toward reducing your weeding efforts. You may choose to fertilize the pumpkins when you notice tendrils forming on the vine. Remember, these plants are an investment for your farm, so give your pumpkin patch what it needs to produce.
How much water do pumpkins need?
Again, pumpkins need a lot of water—they like around 2 inches a week—so your primary pumpkin patch maintenance will be keeping them hydrated. Mulching will help the ground retain moisture; grass clippings or straw spread 2 inches deep will do the trick.
How to harvest pumpkins from a pumpkin patch?
To harvest your pumpkins, carefully cut the stems at the vines with pruning shears or a sharp knife. Leave a few inches of the stem—we all know what a good pumpkin “handle” looks like.
How many leaves do pumpkins have?
Plant seeds one per peat pot two weeks before you plan to put seedlings outside. (They’ll have four or five leaves when they’re ready to set in the patch.) Remember: Pumpkins like water, so keep them hydrated and don’t let the soil get dry.
How to make a pumpkin hill?
To form your hills, dig a 3-foot circle 12 inches deep. (Use a shovel, not a tractor—pumpkins don’t grow deep roots). Loosen the soil and clear out rocks, then mix in fertilizer. Pumpkins tend to like cow manure, but make sure you keep the pH neutral to slightly alkaline, which is what the plants prefer.
How to make a hill in a garden?
Mound up your amended soil in the center to form a flat hill. Plant one seedling or four seeds spaced 10 inches apart (from which you’ll choose one or two of the best), and give it all a good water. Then build your next hill, keeping between 5 to 20 feet between hills.
Can pumpkins grow on seed shelf?
The most important considerations for where to grow them, of course, are determined by your pumpkins’ needs. Pumpkins aren’t the heartiest plants on the seed shelf, so growing success does require some planning.
Is this Business Right For You?
The pumpkin farm business is great for farmers, Halloween-lovers, and those with a “green thumb.” If you like planting and selling crops, a pumpkin patch is a great business to own. Owners should be people-oriented, and they should love bargaining. A good pumpkin patch owner will also have a love for Jack-O-Lanterns and everything else Halloween-oriented.
What is a pumpkin farm?
Also called a pumpkin patch, a pumpkin farm is a place to harvest pumpkins. Pumpkins are priced by weight, and a lot of pumpkin farms sell other seasonal products like corn, apples, and Halloween decorations. Other pumpkin patches offer entertainment, like corn mazes and hayrides. Ready to form your LLC?
What are the best customers for a pumpkin farm?
A pumpkin farm’s best customers are seasonal. As a pumpkin farm owner, you’ll need to focus on Halloween pumpkin shoppers. Other valuable customers include locals who make food with pumpkins. All in all, most pumpkin farm customers are the same. That said, customers should be careful around a farm’s pumpkins. While pumpkins are pretty durable, customers can accidentally ruin them. Children and animals require extra attention.
How much does it cost to start a pumpkin farm?
What are the costs involved in opening a pumpkin farm? You’ll need to pay about $300 per acre, for harvesting costs. As for starting capital, expect to pay as much as $3,000 per acre for maintenance, harvesting, and growth. If you’re starting a small patch, however, the costs will be much lower.
How to become a preferred pumpkin farm?
To become a preferred pumpkin farm, however, you’ll need to connect with your area’s farm association. Farmer ’s market associations, market cooperatives, and food associations are your friend, as they can help your business succeed and expand. A very successful pumpkin farm can even sell pumpkins to local grocers.
How many hands do you need to run a pumpkin patch?
Your pumpkin patch should have between two and three extra hands from the get-go. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to run a pumpkin farm—labor-wise. If you have a larger farm, however, you’ll need a team of three to five before completing an entire growth season. Next Steps.
What does a pumpkin farm owner need to know?
On the production, marketing, and management end of things, a pumpkin farm owner needs to understand the ins and outs of local marketing. A lot of a pumpkin farm’s business comes from local buyers, so having a good handle on the local economy can help, too.
What is the off season for homesteading?
The more you dive into hobby farming and homesteading, the more you realize: there is no “off season.” In other words you complete one task to move to the next, and are constantly shifting your focus based on the time of year. Early springtime means starting seedlings, and hatching chicks. Then planting season begins, which moves to maintaining your gardens, the high egg production of summer time, honey, raising cattle and pigs, cut flowers and manure. As you head into fall, harvest kicks into high gear, canning season and pumpkin season take over – only to be met with orchard season. Once winter hits, firewood and snow removal take center stage outdoors, and focus can be shifted indoors to your various crafting and woodworking skills. And then it’s not long before its time to start those seedlings again.
How much does it cost to hatch a day old duckling?
All you need is an incubator (or some broody hens) and you can hatch out your fertilized eggs. Depending on the breed they can go for anywhere from $2 a chick to $18 a chick. I do know people who focus on hatching specialty breeds who have turned this into a full time, well paying job.
What is the beginning of spring?
Early springtime means starting seedlings , and hatching chicks. Then planting season begins, which moves to maintaining your gardens, the high egg production of summer time, honey, raising cattle and pigs, cut flowers and manure.
How much do eggs cost to sell?
A dozen eggs can get you around $3 per dozen depending on your area. They are easy to market, and attract a large variety of customers, that can lead to up-sells. After building a customer base, it’s easier to spread the word about new products you offer. Word of mouth goes a really long way. For us, the egg sales offset the cost of feeding and caring for our flock, but not much more, so don’t expect high profits, but I think this one is really about getting your name out there – and I love being able to provide quality eggs from happy chickens to members of my community.
Where can I sell my quilts?
My sister and I sew baby quilts and sell them in our Etsy shop Lulu and Louise Baby.
How long does it take for broiler hens to grow?
Raising Broilers – If butchering doesn’t bother you, raise broiler hens. They grow quickly and can be ready to process in as little as 12 weeks. You could take them to a butcher if you’re not interested in doing the deed, but with chickens it greatly cuts into your profit margins and I haven’t found it to be worth it.
What vegetables can you pick from the garden?
U-pick Vegetables – You would need easy access to your garden and ample parking for this, but everyone loves produce picked straight from the garden. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, zucchini, peppers, onions, squash – you name it! People want it fresh.
What to do at a pumpkin patch?
Hayrides are like a fun carnival ride to them. You don't have to do anything elaborate, just hook up a trailer filled with hay bales to a tractor and slowly pull riders around an area you've marked off. As alluded to above offering something like a hay ride can help provide an experience rather than just a product. A corn maze, whether simple for kids or difficult for adults or both, can accomplish the same thing. Both of these will help to differentiate your patch from a simple roadside stand or pumpkins in front of the local retail store. Help create a yearly tradition for families that are enjoyable for all members of the family and you will also create loyal customers who return year after year for a festive fall family night.
How to advertise a pumpkin patch?
We would actually recommend just placing signage in the right places and keeping your pumpkin patch at the original location. Advertise where there is guaranteed traffic on busy roads and then lead them step by step or turn by turn with directional signage to a location that allows you to make it more of an experience. While the primary signage should be large enough for easy reading while driving, the directional signage doesn't need to be oversized banners but simply visible enough (think yard signs or posters) to direct customers to your location without them getting frustrated. Thus, costs will remain low despite the increased signage. The ability and importance of creating an experience at your normal location is discussed at length below.
How to reach your customers in your area?
One really effective way of reaching your customers in your area is to integrate or market through local institutions. For example, by offering additional activities such as corn mazes, hay rides, etc. (as discussed below) you can then partner with local schools. The children coming to your pumpkin patch can either buy pumpkins as part of the field trip or in the more likely scenario talk about it enough that the rest of the family returns to buy pumpkins and experience the rides/food. Restaurants such as Chick Fil A do these types of promotions and marketing through local schools extremely effectively. Likewise, toy companies and fast food chains have known for years that if you can market to children on a consistent basis then eventually their influence on the buyer will result in a purchase. There's even a term for such behavior, "the nag factor", which is pretty self-explanatory within the context! That doesn't mean pumpkin patches need to be devious in their marketing but that by promoting through schools pumpkin patches can successfully implement the same type of tactic and reach the actual buyers in their local area!
How much did Americans spend on pumpkins last year?
Last year, Americans spent $308 million on pumpkin-flavored products! Even though people love pumpkins and this time of year, this love and season only lasts for a couple of months, which is a challenge for pumpkin patch owners and operators.
What is a good banner for a pumpkin patch?
Vinyl banners are a great choice. They're durable, weather resistant and look really nice on the side of the road and/or right in front of your pumpkin patch. They can even be used from year to year! Consider these things when creating a promotional banner: · Incorporate words and pictures. · Keep your message short.
Why is selling pumpkins worth it?
Go in with the mindset that selling pumpkins is only a small fraction of what your job entails, but that maintaining the fields and harvesting the pumpkins is worth the time because it provides you with a profit and a product enjoyed by millions of people.
When do pumpkin patches open?
What else do people love about fall? The thousands of acres of pumpkin patches open from late September until the end of October. These small and large orange gourds are all people want to get their hands on during this fun season. Roughly 18,952 tons of pumpkins are sold in the U.S. and UK during the Halloween season. Pumpkins make great decorations and are fun to carve into spooky jack-o-lanterns, and people can't get enough of pumpkin-flavored foods. Last year, Americans spent $308 million on pumpkin-flavored products!
