What is a pumpkin patch business for profit?
A Pumpkin Patch Business for Profit – Mother Earth News MOTHER's children article showcases a young entrepreneur who enjoys growing pumpkins for his pumpkin patch business and profiting from the harvest. Originally published as "Pete's Pumpkin Patch" September/October 1985 MOTHER EARTH NEWS.
What are the challenges of owning a pumpkin patch?
For pumpkin patch owners, there are 5 main challenges you deal with every year: The pumpkin-picking season is only a couple of months long but caring for a pumpkin patch is a yearlong investment. You have to make sure you’re harvesting the right amount of pumpkins for your customers every year.
How much do pumpkin farms make a year?
The average, small pumpkin farm can make about $30,000 per year. Profit varies greatly, however, as all farms are different sizes. Farm tourism is a multi-million-dollar industry in the United States, so location matters a lot. How can you make your business more profitable?
What can I sell at a pumpkin patch?
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? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .
Is selling pumpkins profitable?
"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 much should I charge for a pumpkin?
Pumpkin Stand PricesProduceQuantity/PriceQuantity/PricePie Pumpkins$2.50 / each100+ / $2.00 eachJack o' Lanterns.60 / lb100+ / .50/lbSpecialty Pumpkins.65 / lb100+ / .55/lbSpecialty Gourds.65 / lb100+ / .55/lb6 more rows
How much can you make off of pumpkins?
Pumpkins Crop GuideEstimated Cost$600 – $800 per acreYield Potential15,000- 30,000 lbs/acreProfit Potential$0 to $1,000 per acreAdapted AreasCentral, North and Northwest TexasLabor Requirements4 man-days per acre during harvest9 more rows
How much money is in a pumpkin farm?
While there are a few farms that run enormous operations, most pumpkin patches range from 2 to 40 acres — enough to yield roughly $12k to $240k in net profit at the higher bounds of our estimates.
How are pumpkins priced?
Pumpkins can also be priced by the pound, with smaller pumpkins costing more per pound than larger ones. For example, a 5-pound pie pumpkin might cost $10, while a 20-pound field pumpkin might cost $30. The price of pumpkins can also vary depending on the time of year.
Why are pumpkin prices so high?
The U.S. could be facing a pumpkin shortage because of several issues, including weather conditions, shipping issues and a fungus in some areas, according to recent reports. Pumpkin prices also appear to be increasing compared to last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Is a pumpkin patch a good business?
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.
What's the most profitable crop to grow?
Top 13 Most Profitable Crops To Grow Mushrooms. Microgreens. Ginseng. Lavender. Saffron. ... Goji Berries. ... Wasabi. ... Bonsai Plants.More items...
When can you start selling pumpkins?
Once late September rolls into October, your hard work should pay off with a patch of ripe, ready-to-sell pumpkins. Most varieties will turn that deep orange we all associate with pumpkins.
How do you start a pumpkin patch?
0:081:56How to Grow a Pumpkin Patch : Pumpkin Gardening - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut your seed in and cover it up tap your soil get it nice and firm around it and then in about tenMorePut your seed in and cover it up tap your soil get it nice and firm around it and then in about ten days or so you'll start seeing the germination.
How many pumpkins can you plant per acre?
Pumpkins are generally planted as single rows with 30-40 inches between plants in the row and 8-12 feet between rows, depending on plant type. Plant populations at these spacing are approximately 1,600 (for pumpkins in excess of 30 pounds) to 2,800 plants per acre (for pumpkins less than 8 pounds).
What is the average cost of a pumpkin?
This statistic shows the average price of pumpkins during the Halloween season in the United States from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, the average price per pumpkin in the U.S. amounted to around 4.83 U.S. dollars during the Halloween season....CharacteristicPrice per pumpkin in U.S. dollars20183.8920174.123 more rows
How much does a big pumpkin cost?
The average cost of a giant pumpkin is $2.00 per pound.
How much are pumpkins at Costco?
The Instagram Costco expert Costco Buys recently posted a photo of several crates of pumpkins they found at their local Costco store. According to the post, the bulk grocery chain is now selling huge pumpkins for $5.99.
When can you start selling pumpkins?
Once late September rolls into October, your hard work should pay off with a patch of ripe, ready-to-sell pumpkins. Most varieties will turn that deep orange we all associate with pumpkins.
How much are pumpkins at Aldi?
Aldi prices vary by location – you may find them as low as $1.99 – or as high as $5.99 – but they're definitely in stores now, so keep an eye out at your location.
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, ha...
What are the ongoing expenses for a pumpkin farm?
You’ll need to spend about $10 for a bag of pumpkin seeds. Aside from this, your ongoing expenses aren’t too critical. Your land’s rent is determin...
Who is the target market?
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...
How much can you charge customers?
Customers can be charged about $5 for a soccer-ball-sized pumpkin. You can sell small, hand-sized pumpkins for as little as $1. Charge customers ab...
How much profit can a pumpkin farm make?
The average, small pumpkin farm can make about $30,000 per year. Profit varies greatly, however, as all farms are different sizes. Farm tourism is...
How can you make your business more profitable?
Differentiate your patch as soon as possible. Around Halloween, a ton of pumpkin patches will pop up. Offer hayrides or other services, and offer c...
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...
What happens during a typical day at a pumpkin farm?
Pumpkin farm owners have several responsibilities. First, they need to plant pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin patch owners need to determine sunny, fertile a...
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful pumpkin farm?
To run a successful pumpkin farm, you’ll need to make sure your crops are properly maintained. Learn to grow, maintain, and harvest pumpkins before...
What is the growth potential for a pumpkin farm?
Most pumpkin farms are small. Some, in fact, are only seasonal. If your pumpkin farm has a long-standing history, however, it can get assistance fr...
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.
When do pumpkin patches open?
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.
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 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.
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.
Do pumpkin patch owners need to do their research?
While we’re not farmers it goes without saying that pumpkin patch owners need to do their research and educate themselves to the fullest extent on common pumpkin diseases and other nuances of growing a healthy crop year in and year out. Education and experience will lead to sufficient supply year after year.
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.
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!
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 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.
Do pumpkin patch owners need to do their research?
While we're not farmers it goes without saying that pumpkin patch owners need to do their research and educate themselves to the fullest extent on common pumpkin diseases and other nuances of growing a healthy crop year in and year out. Education and experience will lead to sufficient supply year after year.
How much does a pumpkin farm make?
The average, small pumpkin farm can make about $30,000 per year. Profit varies greatly, however, as all farms are different sizes. Farm tourism is a multi-million-dollar industry in the United States, so location matters a lot.
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 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.
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.
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 many pages are there in the Pumpkin Production Guide?
Pumpkin Production Guide, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, 2003 - This 152-page guide covers the basics to cutting-edge research. It includes sample budgets and marketing ideas. It is available for purchase.
How are pumpkins shipped?
When pumpkins are. shipped to the wholesale market, they are shipped in bulk bins or stacked loose in trailers. In wholesale marketing, either you or a shipper can take your crop to the market. Shippers generally sell and transport pumpkins for a predetermined price.
Where is the oldest pumpkin farm in California?
Arata Pumpkin Farm, Half Moon Bay, California - This farm claims to be the oldest working pumpkin farm in San Mateo County. Pumpkins have been grown since 1932. The Arata farm specializes in hosting school groups. It also distributes pumpkins nationwide.
Why are my pumpkins dropping?
Water deficiency or stress, especially during the blossom-fruit set period, can reduce fruit size or cause blossoms and fruits to drop, resulting in reduced yields. Pumpkins also are sensitive to cold temperatures and plants can be injured by even a slight frost.
What family is pumpkin?
Botany: Pumpkins are a member of the cucurbitaceae family, which also includes squash, cantaloupes, cucumbers, watermelons, and gourds. Individual plants produce both male and female flowers. Fruit shape, size, and appearance (smooth or ribbed) vary, ranging from small (less than 5 pounds) to medium (12-24 pounds), and large (typically 40-60 pounds). Pumpkins originated in America.
What is pick your own pumpkin stand?
Roadside stands (either your own or another grower's) and pick-your-own operations provide opportunities to receive higher than wholesale prices for your pumpkins, but you may have some additional expenses for advertising, building and maintaining a facility, maintaining liability insurance and providing service to your customers. With pick-your-own operations, you save on harvest costs, but you must also be willing to accept some waste.
Where do pumpkins come from?
Pumpkins originated in America. According to the 1997 Census of Agriculture, the top ten states in pumpkin acreage are. Wisconsin. Data on production value is sketchy, but it likely exceeds $150 million annually in the United States.
How big do pumpkins grow?
Most pumpkins grow in very large vines and can take up space. Although there are compact or bush type pumpkins plan for an area of 50 to a hundred square feet.
How to cut pumpkins from vines?
Cut the pumpkins from the vines before the first frost by leaving two to three inches of the handle. A pumpkin with the handle stores longer. If the handle is removed, make sure to use this pumpkin first.
What are the different types of pumpkins?
There are four cultivated species that are considered pumpkins. They are Cucurbita Pepos like the acorn squash, Cucurbita maxima which are the giant varieties like Cinderella, and Cucurbita moschata like the butternut squash. Finally, Cucurbita argyrosperma like the silver seed gourd and cushaw pumpkin.
How to grow pumpkins in a mound?
You can directly plant seeds in hills. Gather up the soil you prepared previously to form mounds. Space your hills three to five feet apart to give room for growth. Step 3. Plant Pumpkin Seeds. Poke a hole in the mound and drop three to five seeds.
What are the pests that can be found in pumpkins?
Dealing With Pumpkin Pests And Diseases. Squash bugs are some of the most common pests to pumpkins. Check the leaves of your pumpkin plants regularly for any sign of eggs and adults to get rid of them outright. You can also put a cardboard at the base of your pumpkin plant and leave it overnight.
How to thin seedlings?
Thin Seedlings. When the seeds have sprouted and have grown two true leaves, thin the seedlings. This is by pinching the smaller, unhealthy looking seedlings by the base. Keep two to three seedlings to grow in each hill.
Can you grow pumpkins in every season?
With this growing guide, you can grow your own pumpkin patch in every growing season.
from Ground to Gourd
- For a pumpkin farmer, the harvest begins with variety selection — the process of choosing from the hundreds of seeds available each year. Traditional jack-o’-lanterns are in high demand closer to Halloween. But earlier in the season, customers want decorative pumpkins, like the flat, stack…
Bringing The Farm to The City
- Urban patches — which start with an empty lot in the middle of a dense city — bring the farm closer to home for cosmopolites. Brandon Helfer, the co-owner of Mr. Jack O’LanternsPumpkin Patch, which has a dozen locations in urban areas across California and Florida, buys pumpkins by the semitruckload from farms across the US. Brandon Helfner with part of a season’s crop at …
and Lastly, What About Those Really Big Pumpkins?
- Annual biggest pumpkin contests regularly crown winners that weigh in at over a ton — likethis 2.7k-pound beastrecently presented by an Italian farmer. A big pumpkin comes with bragging rights and often a cash prize: 1. A Minnesota man won $16.4kfor his 2,350-pound pumpkin ($7/pound) in 2020 at The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, …