Pumpkins galore, so get out there picking!
ALL THE INFO YOU’LL NEED TO GET READY FOR HALLOWEEN
PUMPKIN time is back again, so whether you want to carve them into ghoulish patterns or turn them into a warming soup, you need to get equipped.
It’s easy enough to pick one up in a shop but you can really get into the Hallowe’en spirit by picking your own.
What better way for family fun and getting some fresh air on an autumn day? But remember your wellies as it could be muddy and wrap up warm.
On your pumpkin picking mission you’ll find big ones, small ones, warty ones, orange, green, black and white ones.
There’s no need to book at any of the Nottinghamshire sites but all the usual Covid-19 restrictions will be in place.
Pick-your-own Pumpkins Having joined the ranks last year, Pick-your-own Pumpkins has returned with a bumper crop again this year.
The Hodkinson family have been growing pumpkins for more than ten years but when the modest crop of 300 grew and grew they decided to open their doors to the public.
Set in the rolling Nottinghamshire countryside a few miles north of the city, the familyfriendly Pick-your-own patch has thousands of pumpkins, squashes and gourds to choose from, in 30 varieties including white, turban squashes and goosebump pumpkins.
The site is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm.
There is no need to book and admission is free. Simply pay for what you pick.
Food from Rocket Dogs and drinks from the Little Schnauzer Coffee Company will be on sale.
There’s no need to book but various Covid-19 changes have been implemented for the safety of visitors and staff and households are reminded to keep two metres away from others.
The pumpkin patch is open until October 31 from 9am to 5pm. Entry is £3 per person, but free for under-16s.
Pumpkins start at £2 and squashes £1. Youngsters can have a tractor ride for £2 a go
Maxey’s Farm
Open seven days a week, it’s a good idea to visit in the week if you can since weekends tend to be very busy. and the ghostly gift tent has a
Grown over five acres, there’s range of novelties and toys. in excess of 25,000 pumpkins, all However, the pandemic means homegrown from seed, and it’s a the bouncy castle is not open real family affair with three gen- this year. erations of the Maxey family When hunger strikes the involved from setting the seed to Bewitched BBQ has homemade planting out and harvesting. burgers, sausages and bacon, while the Devilish Deli is selling snacks, cakes and chocolate apples. Plus, there’s Halloweenthemed tucker in the shape of Cobweb Crepes, Hocus Pocus hot potatoes and Wicked Whippy.
School Farm
The soft fruit farm, which offers strawberry and raspberry picking in the summer, turns its thoughts to pumpkins at this time of year.
Open daily from 10am to 5.30pm (5pm Sundays) there’s no admission fee and no need to book but visitors are reminded to maintain social distancing.
Pumpkins are priced according to size, starting at £1. Remember to take cutters or scissors as these won’t be supplied.
Visitors can also meet and feed the animals on the farm.
To make sure your pumpkin lasts until Hallowe’en it’s best to store it uncarved in a cool, dry place.