To folks up north, a pumpkin patch where you get to snip your own pumpkins off the vine may not sound like a big deal. To this native Floridian, though, it was a first-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Pickin’ Patch in Dunnellon, FL is about an hour and a half drive from the Tampa Bay area, which at first sounded a bit ridiculous when some friends told us about it. “No, it was worth it,” they insisted. Since we didn’t have anything else planned that day, we figured, why not? We headed north on I-75 and hoped to get a full day of the trip.
When we arrived, I was immediately struck by how many cars were parked on this acreage of land. There were a lot of them. At least 100… maybe more. We parked, got out of the car and were immediately assaulted by hay dust and approximately five million crickets jumping (trying to get away from us) in the ankle-high hay-grass. If you have any dust or hay allergies, be sure to take a Claritin or whatever your allergy medicine of choice may be before you go. Another tip, don’t wear flip flops or sandals. We went on a Sunday afternoon and there were folks there dressed in their Sunday finest. It was obvious that many people had driven there directly from church. A word of advice, swing home and put on some jeans and sneakers first. A farm is a dusty place.
Once inside, the kids had a blast on the hay slides (see photo because my description wouldn’t do it justice) constructed by the owners. They also loved the hay bales for climbing, hay rides, a great corn maze, and at least an acre or two of pumpkins and gourds growing in an awe-inspiring pumpkin patch. Unbelievably, everything is included in the $5 entry fee. The only thing that costs extra is if you buy a pumpkin or a gourd, which range in price from $4 – $30.
When you are ready to go find your dream pumpkin, the kind folks at the Pickin’ Patch will provide you with a wagon and clippers. Just watch your fingers because those clippers are sharp! Our kids each found a pumpkin they loved, and honestly most of the pumpkins in the field were good pumpkins. We saw very few that were rotten or moldy.
We went to the pumpkin patch only a week and a half before Halloween, so considering how late it was in the month, the selection of pumpkins was top notch. I can only imagine how good the selection would be at the start of October.
The Pickin’ Patch is a new family tradition for us. The entire family agreed we would not be buying pumpkins anywhere else ever again. The experience was excellent; the price cannot be beat; and the people were incredibly nice. It is definitely the best pumpkin patch that we have ever visited in all of Florida.
Do you have a favorite pumpkin patch here in Florida? Have you ever been to the Pickin’ Patch? If so, please let us know in the comments!
