From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Pittstown NY

Hi all I am interested in growing a large patch of pumpkins,
guords and indian corn for a pick your own pumpkin weekend in upstate NY during the Columbus day weekend, I have a fairly large cornfield that I will be using for this located near a busy highway with ample parking. I am looking for any and all advice on my possible venture.
the site is approximately 4 acres any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

1/15/2001 7:57:00 AM

Rush, NY

I have about 5 acres of Pumpkins, Gourds, and Indian Corns that we sell(already picked) starting the last week of September at our farm near Nunda, NY. I grow about 7 varieties of pumpkins to have anywhere from 4 to 250 pounders to sell. Our best seller has been Howden Biggies that range in weight from 30 to 80 pounds. I get the best pumpkins from seeds I save myself from fruit I hand pollinated. For larger pumpkins I plant Burpee Prizewinners and plan on leaving 4 pumpkins per plant. They have a weakness on the blossom end and in the past if I left one or two fruit per plant, they usually split vertically on the blossom end. You will need more than one weekend to sell 4 acres of pumpkins. With good care you could have over 40 ton.

2/25/2001 8:01:09 AM

Rush, NY

Its Len again. You may want to check with your Insurance agent before venturing into a pick-your-own pumpkin busines.
I thought I would do that on a couple acres a few years ago. I called my Insurance agent to ask if my farm Liability policy would cover any claim that resulted from an injury in my pumpkin patch. The answer was "no". I would have to buy Business insurance and the price was prohibitive. I have a "Vendors" policy that would cover up to 1 million for claims resulting from people being in our Pumpkin selling area. It costs $150 per year even if people were there for only one weekend.

2/25/2001 7:13:13 PM