It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year: Decorative Gourd Season.
We have a few different options for procuring all the curcurbits your heart desires, and all of them offer something a bit different. Here are three that I’ve frequented over the years, find directions and hours by following the links:
Negangard’s Pumpkin Patch near Sidney is the no-frills spot to fulfill your gourd needs. They have a wide variety — I’m partial to white pumpkins and gooseneck gourds — and I can usually load up a wagon of curcurbits for $30 or less. There are no mazes or animals or cider slushes, but sometimes you don’t need all of that. They open for the season on September 25th.
If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, you can get the big gourd selection plus mazes and wagon rides and animals at The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur. They also are a great fall photo op spot, with various elaborate displays. Last year, due to the pandemic, they scaled down to just a market, but now they’ve brought back the activities and entertainment and food. It’s also a great place to get mums. I try to decorate with mums every year, and every year they die prematurely because I am incapable of keeping plants alive. They open September 22nd.
Curtis Orchard is our super-local standby, where you can get the pumpkins and things and also throw in some apple picking without going too far away. They have a lot of activities for the kiddos on the weekends, including mazes and putt putt and a petting zoo, just be aware that the further into the season we get, the more packed the orchard becomes. If you don’t need to have those extras available to you, mid-week is a great time to visit, do the picking, stock up on your cider and doughnuts and such, and have lunch in the cafe. They are open now.
Where do you like to fulfill your pumpkin patch needs? Are there others not mentioned here?
Top photo by Julie McClure.