Better Pumpkins!

pumpkin facesAutumn is one of the greatest seasons of the year. There are so many bold, beautiful colors to see. The temperatures are mild, if not a little on the cool and refreshing side of things. It is truly splendid, but what makes it even better is the many fall carnivals that are held throughout the world. One of the biggest examples of this Pumpkinland in Iowa, but there are many others.

The Festive Fall

fall festivalsImagine walking through a corn maze or taking a hayride through a field. Playing in dried corn kernels while you nibble on tasty bites watermelon. There are games for kids and friends waiting to be made by parents. Some festivals may also have a petting zoo for kids to enjoy when they get worn out of walking through mazes.

There are also a lot of gourds available for you to choose from if you haven’t found that perfect pumpkin yet this year. Fresh squash varieties, pumpkins, Muscat gourds, and so much more. There are also fresh ripe, red, delicious apples.

One thing, that is also great about these festivals is that you can see the biggest pumpkins in town. Who knows, one year you may be able to see a record-breaking pumpkin.

Festive Foods You Can Sample

fall funIf the fresh fruits are not enough, most fall festivals have local vendors that provide a variety of local favorites. Fresh, garden treats such as jams or jelly made with fresh strawberries. Popcorn and baked goods are readily available to you.

When you go to one of these festivals, you never know what you will get the pleasure of tasting. Everything is prepared with the loving touch of people who show up to show you their finest treats.

Discover Your Local Fall Festival

Often, families see a fall festival as a yearly tradition for themselves. People in Iowa enjoy Pumpkinland. They spend the entire year looking forward to the fun that they will have as autumns chill takes hold of the world. It is the last bit of fun they can have before cold weather and snow sets in. You may not live in this area, but it does not mean there isn’t something to see at a local fall festival.

These festivals usually cost very little and the enjoyment is enough to last throughout the other three seasons. Therefore, we ask you, what are you waiting for? Even if there isn’t a large festival near you, it could still be well worth checking out the festival closest to you this year. Your kids, your neighbors, and your family will all be happy to take part in it.

Spring Time Pheasant Hunts On The Farm

pheasants and farmWith pumpkin season still a good bit of time away, we still wanted to talk about the activities going on at the farm. Even though it is off season right now, with winter’s chill still in the air and spring just around the corner, things are still going on. We, like many other farms, offer visitors the chance to go on pheasant and dove hunts during the offseason and after harvest times. If you have never taken part in spring time pheasant hunts on the farm, you are missing out!

It’s All About the Diet

dovesMost people are curious about why we would offer a hunting opportunity during our “off-season” but the answer is really quite simple. On the farm, things are always happening. We have awesome soil which attracts bugs, earthworms, and more during the summer months. During the winter, roots, seeds, berries, and other things are at the top of the list for hungry pheasants and doves. We have an abundance of those as well.

That makes our farm, and others like it, a feast for these birds. However, it isn’t always a good thing. If they aren’t controlled, we may not be able to grow during the next season. These birds, although beautiful creatures are animals that reproduce quickly and seem to attract friends. Since they are not opposed to eating young sprouts, we couldn’t up losing half our crop if we don’t try to keep a handle on them. This is why we offer hunts to anyone who wants a good hunting experience for doves and pheasants.

Get In On Our Next Hunt

pheasantsIf you are interested in hunting on our farm, you are more than welcome. We do encourage you to contact the farm closest to you to see if and when a hunt will be available. Just know that most farmers want to know you will be safe about the hunt. Even on large farms, you will want a gun that works properly and a truly good scope. If you are lacking either one, there are still options. You could even check here for a budget scope option that will ensure you see clearly what you may be aiming for. We are sure that there are also some pretty good rifles out there at an affordable price as well, but this depends on what you are hoping for.

Why Join the Hunt?

It has been proven that in some areas, such as Minnesota, pheasants and doves are often choosing farmlands over their natural habitat. It is believed that the tall corn stalks and such provide more shelter from predators, which means that they can stay there safely. In many ways, this is good and bad. It is the catch 22 we often hear about. In the wild, pheasants can live for less than three years on average before preditors capture them. With farms, they can thrive longer, but it still can take a toll on the farmers who rely on produce to earn a living.

Summertime Fun at the Patch

summer on the farmMost people think that the only time they should visit a pumpkin patch is during the fall. When it comes time for Jack o’ Lanterns and fall colors. If this is the way you have always thought of it, we encourage you to take another look at your local patch. Many pumpkin patches offer all types of things to do during every season of the year. They have winter activities and snow carriage rides through lavish decorations during the winter months and more activities than you can imagine during their “summertime fun at the patch” festivities.

Savor the Pumpkin Patch

farming fun with animalsPumpkin planting season is the month of May. They are then ready to harvest in October, which makes them the perfect holiday delight. What you may not consider is that throughout the year, children and adults can take an interest in learning about agriculture at their local pumpkin patch.

Fun Experiences For Summer at a Pumpkin Patch

Kids planting cropsWho doesn’t love spending time on the farm? The summer is the best time of all. It is before the crops come in, so you may miss out on sampling fresh ears of corn, pumpkin pie, and other things. However, this does not take away from all you can learn.

For instance, watermelon is a crop that comes in around mid-summer. What kid doesn’t love eating and spitting watermelon seeds to see how far they can project it? Hayrides to look at the newest animals on the farm is also a great way to spend a little while. Kids can enjoy certain activities that may include discovering the tallest tree, planting a new tree, a picnic, explore the three different layers of soil, pick their own blueberries, and so much more.

In some cases, a pumpkin patch could have a water area set up with sprinklers or a swimming pool for their guests to cool off in. With any luck at all pool speakers will be there to keep the drier adults happy while their kids are splashing away.

Getting Back to Basics

Once upon a time, we all knew someone who grew their own garden or had an interest in planting and cultivating the land. They are the ancestors that shaped the world we live in today. By visiting a pumpkin patch during the “off” seasons, you can learn a lot about the “basic” way of living life.

If your local pumpkin patch does not offer visits during off-season months, we hope that you will ask them to consider it. Even if they do not make it an all-season-long event, there are still many things that can be seen and shared on the farm. We promise, your kids will have an experience they will not soon forget. You may as well when you see that they begin to embrace the idea of getting dirty and planting their own little garden.

 

Staying Healthy During Harvest Season

avoid the common coldThe fall is a time of amazing beauty. Leaves change colors. Fall fruits dot the land with bright splashes of color. A gentle breeze can send colors soaring through the air. The problem is, this air that looks so beautiful with colorful leaves blowing in it holds hidden danger. It comes in the form of chills and germs, which makes it virtually important for people to stay healthy during the harvest season. As fall takes the world by storm again, let us focus on ways that you can stay healthier.

Why Fall Sometimes Falls Hard

how germs spreadMany people love the fall. It means cooler temperatures which can be a reprieve from summer’s unending heat. However, others dread the fall because it means that their health will fall along with the leaves. For some, allergies are the culprit and for others, it is some of the nastiest words in the English language that brings them down. Words like: Influenza, the common cold, meningitis, and more. Why does the fall tend to trigger such nasty thoughts and outbreaks? There are two speculations on this matter.

One commonly accepted idea is that as the temperatures drop, we spend more time indoors. This makes “easy to spread” bacteria and viruses more contagious. We sneeze and cough which spreads germs to the room and then others breathe it in.

The second theory is that some viruses thrive in cooler or lower temperatures. This allows more bacteria and viruses to grow and replicate themselves, which also makes it more likely to spread.

Regardless of what may cause it, your only protection against it is to be prepared for cold and flu season.

How to Keep Colds Away

washing handsThere are several things you can do to keep cold germs from making a home in your body. They include things like washing hands and face frequently, taking probiotics, rest more, avoid smoking or drinking, and exercise often. These things will not guarantee to completely block the common cold or flu, but they can help. Most colds are spread through contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth. Washing often will slow it down. Exercising will keep your heart pumping and keep cold germs from taking up residence. Probiotics ensure you have enough healthy bacteria to keep germs from getting the best of you.

If it is the flu that you worry about the most, you should consider taking Tamiflu prophylactically. Tamiflu is a safe way to prevent illness for anyone over the age of two weeks and comes highly recommended for anyone that does not have time to let a cold get in the way.

Live a Healthier Life This Fall

There is no easy way to avoid germs and runny noses. However, preparing now could save you from suffering a lot later on. This is vitally important to farmers who need to ensure they are staying healthy during the harvest season, but it is also important for moms, dads, and kids all over the world. Be prepared and you can live healthier this cold and flu season.

Powering the Remote Pumpkin Patch!

pumpkin fieldsPeople may go to town to sell their farm produce, but 90% of the time, the produce was grown outside of the city. Take pumpkins, for instance. You would not see a pumpkin field in the middle of town. In most cases, pumpkins are grown in rural areas located out of the city limits where they can be fields of pumpkins instead of just a row. Pumpkin patches, which are extremely popular around the fall season and Halloween, are also located in these remote areas, which can make powering them quite a challenge.

Why Pumpkins Belong in the Country

pumpkin vinesWhen growing pumpkins, you will have not just a plant in the field. One pumpkin vine can spread out away from the original stem or plant. A single plant can produce 4-5 pumpkins on the vines that extend up to 50ft off of it. If the pumpkin patch grows miniature pumpkins, each of their single plants could produce up to a dozen or so pumpkins.

A pumpkin farmer will put in a lot of effort at times to control the vine. This will enable them to walk down rows and get the pumpkins when they are ready to harvest, without risking damage to the vine. Could you imagine walking over plants to reach pumpkins that are buried under mounds of vines? Most people wouldn’t want to. This is why space and some order is a definite requirement for growers.

Then, as fall comes around and the little ghosts and goblins come out to play in the pumpkin patch, it keeps everything nice for everyone who attends.

Rural Area, Good Area (Except When It’s Not)

pumpkin patch at nightPumpkin patches are known for growing pumpkins and allowing people to come and pick their own. However, it is often more than just a day for pickin’ pumpkins. Most of the time, there are activities for the kids to enjoy while looking for, “The Great Pumpkin”. There may be stages for music performers, lights scattered around, and more. All of these things require a power supply, which may be limited when in a further off the grid location.

These pumpkin patches rely on generator power in most cases. A portable generator with remote start is ideal for the job. They are ready for power when the need arises. They can put power in the back-field of the pumpkin patch or just be available as an extra power supply in the food/light areas.

Let the Game’s Begin

This year, pumpkin patches will be opening their doors to kids and families all over the U.S. It is happening soon and you are encouraged to show up. It will be a day of fun, unlike all others that you have enjoyed. When the sun sets and the spookies come out, you can enjoy it, even more, knowing that you will only be in the dark in areas where darkness is supposed to be.

A Higher Class Pumpkin Patch

fun pumpkin decorFall festivals and pumpkin patches are loads of fun. Corn mazes have always been a popular pastime because it means haunted trails and so much more. Kids and adults love it, but farms that host these events must always keep evolving to draw people to their gate. In some cases, it also means that they have to focus on a higher class pumpkin patch that can appeal to the adults as much as to the kids.

Common Pumpkin Patch Events

pumpkin patchWhen thinking about a pumpkin patch, corn mazes and hayrides are probably your first thought. These are two of the most common features. However, there are also select events that have fun things for the kids that may include:

*Corn Houses
*Train Rides
*Bounce Houses
*Games
*Costume Contests
*Pumpkins Galore (Picking, carving, painting, etc.)
*and so much more.

The overall experience is designed to be pure fun and excitement for kids, especially little ones who still enjoy the wonder of Halloween. However, many farms realize that to ensure kids will come, they must do a little more for the parents to bring them in.

Delighting Parents Everywhere

pumpkin pieOne trend for bringing parents to the pumpkin-y fun is car shows. A lot of farms will have a large car show out front for the parents to enjoy while their children go off to play. Lots of food options are also available now whereas it used to be mostly burgers/dogs and fries. At some festivals, you can enjoy meat on a stick or any number of other treats. Ice cream flavors galore are also a family-friendly food item.
Beyond that, another way that parents are re-discovering the joy is through adult beverages. Wine flavors, fresh beer, and other delights are trickling into these festivals. More so in the areas that are still sweltering hot for the pumpkin season. These tents are often set up away from the family activities and give adults the feeling of enjoying a cigar bar Key West style.

Enjoy All the Fun You Can Have

No matter what age you are, fall festivals and pumpkin patches are a delight for the entire family. It is a celebration of autumn and the harvesting time of pumpkins everywhere. These orange-colored gourds are worth celebrating. We can carve them for Halloween, make pies, loaves of bread, and more with them. They are filled with a variety of vitamins like B, A, potassium, protein, and iron. However, they remain low fat, low in calories, and very high in fiber. In short, they are just an all-round, great food to have in your home.