Patchs Pumpkins and Honey Farm

October 31st is Costume Day

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:26:00 +0000

Any child wearing a costume accompanied by their parent or adult guardian gets in for free on Saturday, October 31st. Adults will be the normal admission rate.

Unfortunately, last year we had an individual that intended on dropping a group of children off and then leaving. We are not a daycare. This is an active farm and as such numerous pieces of machinery exist. Children are not to be without adult or parental supervision at any time. For this reason we are limiting this promotion to family members.

Pricing - Beatable or Unbeatable?? You make the call..

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:26:00 +0000

We are not expensive but yes you can spend a lot on pumpkins if you want. Our prices beat most of the the box stores and are as follows:

Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins $ .40 / lb - sizes range from 6 - 45 lbs
Pie (higher sugar / less water) $3 / ea - Mostly 4 -8 lbs (hard skin dark orange color)
Gourds & Small Gourd Shaped Pumpkins $ .75 /ea
Squash (Acorn & Butternut) $1.50 /ea

Now compare that to the box store pictures....

Jack-O-Lanterns..

Their pumpkins are $4.98 as pictured. We weighed the pumpkins in their bin that day and found that they ranged from 8 - 12 lbs making their pumpkins $ .50 / lb and most of the stems were broken off. Recently they did put these on sale for $4. That is still is $ .40 / lb and not nearly farm fresh quality.

In our patch be mind full of the size of pumpkin you pick out. I'm sure you can find something that fits your budget.

Pie Pumpkins & Gourds...

Their pie pumpkins are $ .78 / lb!! Average size for a pie pumpkin is 5-6 lbs. A pie pumpkin at this box store will cost you $4 - $5 . Ours are $3 each.

The box store price for Gourds as pictured is $ .78 and $1 each. Patch's Pumpkins is only $ .75 for either.

Squash....

At $ .88 / lb you'll pay $5 for an average size butter nut squash. At Patch's it only $1.50!!

Since we beat them at pricing why would you ever pick pumpkins out of a bin or a parking lot? Come to the farm, you won't be disappointed.

Honey & Allergies

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:07:00 +0000

I was recently contacted about allergies and local honey. Yes honey can help with allergies. It is suggested the more local the honey the better as regional variations in plants and cause changes to the local pollen causing your problems. Local producers can be found using the State's sensitive crop registry. Use the search feature the same as an applicator would.

http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/sensitiveCropDirectory.asp

Fun at the farm, just another day in paradise!

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:35:00 +0000

We woke up this morning to five horses in the front yard of the residence. Apparently the center gate wasn’t latched all the way and a board was kicked down between pens in the new horse barn. Needless to say, we followed their tracks around the pumpkin patch as they needed to check out the Koi pond, trash cans, fire pit, portable toilets, neighbor’s horses, straw maze and finally coming to and end in the front yard all the while leaving numerous gifts for me to clean up.

A little grain in a bucket, I thought would be the best way to bribe then back to the proper area. I put some corn in the bottom of a bucket as I’ve seen my neighbor do so many times with his cattle. I walked over to the corner of the front yard and shook the bucket. Immediately all five horses raised their heads. OK Great. This got their attention! Now keep in mind I’m not a horse person or am I experienced with these animals.

Imagine my panic when they started running at me. Quickly I thought I’ll pour some on the ground and they’ll stop. Well they didn’t and it was a brisk walk back to the horse barn. Did I mention two days of rain? Finally getting back to the house after locking up the horses, I changed my close for the second time and it wasn’t even 7:30, a new record here at the patch, and headed uptown (that’s right we say uptown here in the country). We are now the proud owners of an electric fence. I’ll try and keep it off during open hours!

Hours of Operation

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:49:00 +0000

We are open weekends from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with all the published services if possible. High winds may prevent us from having the bouncers up so please call ahead if you have any questions on activity availability.

We do pull the plugs on the bounce houses at 5:00 pm sharp because it does take some time to package them up and move them under the red and white tent.

There are some hours during the week that we are open without any services for the u-pick patch only. We reserve time on Tuseday from 12:00 to 5:00 for pumpkin picking only. The are no tractors.

Update October 29th, 2009
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We're going to be open Friday the 30th (noon - 5:30pm) during the day for those just wanting to come out and get a pumpkin. If you don't see me as most likely I'll be setting up for the weekend, my cell number will be posted by the snack shack.

Dogs & Farm Livestock

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Unfamiliar dogs near the petting zoo animals can cause stress to the animals. Since customers must walk through the petting zoo area to gain access to the patch, kids zone, fire pit, pumpkin cannon and straw maze we ask that customers do not bring their dogs to the park.

Thank you for your understanding.

Petting Zoo

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Our petting zoo is interactive. We want our guests to learn and experience farm livestock first hand. Our petting zoo is staffed by 4H students. Even though they are mostly middle and high school aged, if they ask you to do something, mosts often it is for your safety. Please follow their instuctions.

In the petting zoo, Parental Adult supervision is required at all times. We are not a daycare, please do not let your children run wild in the petting zoo. We do not allow feeding of the animals. Feeding animals makes then food aggressive. Since they do not expect food from children mostly they ignore them and are used to being approached and petted.

Do not pet the face of any animal. It is best to keep fingers away from any animals mouth as they may misinterpret your intentions.

Horses like to be scratched under their bridal on their neck or cheek. Do not scratch a horses nose as it seems second nature to touch them there.

Goats like their back and neck scratched. Do not pull on their horns or put your fingers in their mouth.

The pigs will roll over on their back and love their bellies rubbed. Do not try and hold then.

None of these animals like to be chased. When they are done with you, let them go. Respect the livestock or the livestock will let you know their displeasure. Mostly, not to your liking.

You will notice animals with birth defects. The operator of the petting zoo is also an animal rescue operation. Please support her by purchasing horse rides paid directly to her. This pays for their feed.

Thank you and enjoy the animals!!

Four Weeks To Go!!

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:37:00 +0000

The field is looking great. The only weeds out there are in row and we've been walking rows cutting them out. I've seen some really huge pumpkins this year as we have switched to a couple new hybrid varieties. Loads of mini pumpkins and gourds as well. Honey bees are visible on most of the morning blooms. Hopefully we'll get some good heat units in early September as that should add at least one more pumpkin per plant.

The grounds are coming along well. Finishing touches on several projects. We're focusing on cleaning the grounds this year! Trying to get rid of all the debris from taking down the old barn. The roof was just too far gone and would cost too much money to repair. Proper structures for the horses, lamas, donkey, goats, pot belly pigs, and goats are being constructed. Should provide better shelter during rainy weather.

The parking lot has been redesigned and should hold twice the car we did last year. I'm sure we'll need to do some road parking again so remember to carpool but don't forget room for the pumpkins!

Patch's Farm 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Patch's Blog) — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:56:00 +0000

It's mid May, 2009 and we're getting ready to start our fifth year planting pumpkins at the family farm.

Last year, the Pumpkin Canon was a huge hit and the crowds were larger than expected. We anticipated some growth but being featured on KCCI and then nation wide on CNN we had customers from Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota and Illinois!

Our big goals for this year is finishing the gift store, adding more checkout lines, improving the petting zoo, expanding the orchard, and adding more parking. We are also adding some more surprises but I'll reveal them in September.

Patch