Des Moines Register
09-30-06
Pumpkins are ripe for picking
In summer, pumpkins grow hidden on the vine, protected in the patch. Come fall,
it's a whole new story.
By DAWN SAGARIO
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Five-year-old Hunter Hughes was determined to find just the right pumpkin
Wednesday morning.
Meticulously walking back and forth past dozens of possibilities at the pumpkin
patch at Howell's Dried Floral & Greenhouse in Cumming, Hunter crouched down
on his knees, pushing away leaves and weeds to take a closer look at the orange
globes scattered around his feet.
He was looking for a big pumpkin to carve a scary face into, he said. After much
searching, the brown-haired boy finally grabbed a pumpkin by its stem and
declared, "This one is good."
Hunter, along with dozens of other kindergarteners from Winterset Elementary
School, had ridden a wagon out to the pumpkin patch.
Patches are opening all across the state this weekend. Beginning today, dozens
of patches are welcoming the public to stroll through and pick out a pumpkin.
They're available at farms and greenhouses for 20-30 cents a pound, up to $20
or more, depending on whether you pick your own or not.
At the patch in Knoxville, for example, you'll pay $6 for all the pumpkins you can
carry.
In addition to the fields of pumpkins, Iowa farms often add corn mazes, petting
zoos, craft activities, hayrack rides, food and drink. Most are open through
October.
At Howell's Greenhouse Wednesday, children squealed, pointed and screamed
as they scrambled off the wagons to pick their pumpkin.
Some pumpkins were light enough for kids to tote by their stems. Others were
heftier, needing two hands to lug around.
Teachers and parents helped wipe the pumpkins down and wrote the student's
name on the bottom.
Some students, like Mia Olson, 6, quickly found the right one.
She'll be making a jack-o'-lantern out of hers.
"I got a big one," Mia declared to kindergarten teacher Amy Hall.
Casey Kleemeier, 6, said he grabbed the first one he saw. "(I'm going to) make
pumpkin pie," with the help of his mom, he said.
FIND A PATCH NEAR YOU
30 MINUTES OR LESS FROM DES MOINES
Adel: Pumpkins, straw maze, gift shop, tractor-pulled hayrides, Christmas
decorations, face painting, petting zoo. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.dusk Friday-Sunday until Oct. 31, Knight & Sons Landscape and Design, 3556 L
Lane, (515) 834-9092; www.knight-sons.com.
Adel: Pumpkin patch. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays, weekdays by
appointment through Oct. 31. Wills Family Orchard, 3316 Panther Creek Road.
(515) 993-5153; www.willsfamilyorchard.com.
Des Moines: Pumpkin Fest & Harvest Fair. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends from Oct. 7
through Oct. 22. Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show, comedian Lee Cloe, the J&P
Petting Zoo and more. Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave. $12 adults,
$6 ages 5-13, free for youths under age 5. (515) 262-4100;
www.sleepyhollowsportspark.com.
Urbandale: Pumpkin patch, apple orchard, bakery. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a
week. Pumpkins cost 30 cents a pound; average size is 10-20 pounds but 90pounders are available. 9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale. 276-0852.
Bondurant: Pumpkin patch, corn maze. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, noon-7 p.m.
Sundays through October. Eight-acre corn maze. Kids can explore a soybean
mini-maze, pumpkin patch and more. Groups of 15 or more may reserve a fire pit
and have a hayrack ride. Geisler Farms, 5251 N.E. 94th Ave., $6, children 4 and
younger are free. (515) 964-2640; www.growingfamilyfun.com.
West Des Moines: Great Pumpkin Festival. 2 p.m. Oct. 22. Wear costumes and
parade down Fifth Street. Entrants will receive goodie bags to trick or treat.
Entertainment will follow the parade. Valley Junction, Fifth Street and Railroad
Avenue. Free. (515) 222-3642.
60 MINUTES OR LESS FROM DES MOINES
Ames: Pumpkin Patch. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31, DeMoss Pumpkin
Farm, 51428 170th St. Pumpkins: Mini pumpkins 50 cents, pie pumpkins $1-$3,
larger pumpkins 30 cents a pound. (515) 232-7930.
Cambridge: Pumpkins, corn maze, hay maze, apples, Molly Moo the cow, rope a
steer, country store, chickens, goats, elk, lambs, sheep. Hayrides on weekends.
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Satruday, Noon-6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 31. Center
Grove Orchards, 32835 610 Ave., $4 includes everything but produce. Pumpkins:
32 cents a pound. (515) 383-4354; www.centergroveorchards.com.
Chariton: Pumpkin patch. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Papa’s Garden
Patch, 2491 Highway 14. Pumpkins: regular size $2-$5, 100 pounders $10-$20.
(641) 862-3398.
Chariton: Pierce’s Pumpkin Patch Festival. Oct. 7-8. Pumpkins, costumes, food,
Halloween decor and crafts for sale. (641) 774-4059.
Cumming: Howell’s Dried Floral & Greenhouse. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Hayrack rides, petting zoo, play area, kettle corn, dried flowers. Free. (515) 9810863 or (800) 210-1415; www.howellfloral.com.
Grinnell: Pumpkin patch. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.
Sundays in October. All activities, barns and wagon rides are included in the
admission price: Monday through Friday $4.50 ages 3 and older. Saturday and
Sunday $5 ages 3 and older. Carroll’s Pumpkin Farm, 244 400th Ave., (641) 2367043; www.carrollspumpkinfarm.com.
Jefferson: Pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, squash, apples, cider, pies and
dumplings. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Book a party after dark and do
the corn maze by flashlight. Deal’s Orchard, 1102 244th St. Free. (515) 3868279; www.dealsorchard.com.
Knoxville: Pumpkin patch. All the pumpkins you can carry in your arms at one
time for $6. Dad does the carrying as the kids pile them on. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays in October, Dan-D Farms, 2044 Highway 14, $6 for
adults, $4 for children, free for children ages 5 and under. (641) 842-2829;
www.dandfarms.com.
Mitchellville: Pumpkin patch, corn maze. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Oct. 31,
Allsup’s Farm, 618 Center Ave. S. Pumpkins $6-$8, mini-pumpkins three for $1.
(515) 967-0972.
Mitchellville: Pumpkinville. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. through Oct. 31. Pumpkin patch, straw
jump, granary, animals, bale toss, tug-a-pumpkin and more. Hayrides run
Saturdays-Sundays in October. Pumpkinville, 618 Center Ave. S., (515) 9670972.
Nevada: Pumpkin patch, apples, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, cherries,
currants, gooseberries, pumpkins, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries. 9 a.m.-6
p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Berry Patch Farm, 62785 280th St., 30 cents a pound
for pumpkins. (877) 382-5138.
Osceola: Pumpkin patch, corn maze, meat, candles, critter corral. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mondays-Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 31, The Harvest
Barn, 2721 U.S. Highway 34. Pumpkins: $4.99 each or 3 for $12. Corn mazes:
$4.50, 2 and under free. (641) 342-4039; www.theharvestbarn.com.
Oskaloosa: Pumpkin patch, produce, gift shop, picnic area, tractor-pulled
hayrides, petting zoo, rope swing, slingshot, corn pool, super slide down the hay
mountain. 4 p.m.-dusk Thursdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. Autumn
Acres Pumpkin Patch, 2421 Highway 92, (641) 672-1437.
Yale: Pumpkinpalooza. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 7. Pumpkins, gourds, arts, crafts,
ornamental corn, homemade pies, kids activities, petting zoo, mini train rides with
Grandpa Jones and the D&J Express, folk music by Sharon Eide of Beaverdale,
scarecrow decorating contest. 17387 B Ave., (641) 439-2435. Call for contest
rules and entry form.
MORE THAN 60 MINUTES FROM DES MOINES
Algona: Pumpkin patch. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays and ThursdaysFridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, noon-2 p.m. Sundays in October. Scuffham’s
Gardens, 2307 Plum Creek Road, Pick your own, 25 cents a pound, Pre-picked
$1.50-$10. (515) 295-2000.
Andrew: Jackson County Corn Maze & Fall Festival. 11 a.m.-dusk weekends
through Oct. 30. Pumpkin patch, Maze-Mind Teaser Treasure hunt. Historic 1870
insane asylum, Andrew Jackson Demonstration Farm and county road Y-61,
between Andrew and La Motte, $5 14 years and older, $3 students (5-13 years of
age), free children under 5. (800) 342-1837; www.jacksoncountyiowa.com.
Atkins: Haunted Corn Maze. Dusk until midnight Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 1328. Over 35 actors and monsters in the field. Bloomsbury Farm, 3260 69th St.,
$9. (319) 446-7667; www.bloomsburyfarm.com or www.screamacresmaze.com.
Buckingham: Pumpkin patch. Open daily through Oct. 31. Pick your own or
select from our pre-picked pumpkins. Beck’s Farm, 2134 W. Tama Road.
Pumpkins $1-$6. (319) 988-3729.
Buffalo: Pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, pony rides, petting zoo. 10
a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends through Oct. 31. Buffalo
Pumpkin Patch & Event Center, one mile west of Buffalo on Highway 22, (563)
370-4026; www.buffalopumpkinpatch.com.
Clear Lake: Pumpkins, gourds. 3-6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 15 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31, Furleigh Farms, 811 N. 56th St. Price based on
weight of pumpkins. (641) 357-4097.
Council Bluffs: Apples, peaches, pumpkins, produce, gift shop, picnic area,
hayrides. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays through
Dec. 15, Ditmars Orchard, 19475 225th St., (712) 256-7053.
Council Bluffs: Pumpkin patch. 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10
a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday during October. Pioneer Trail
Orchard & Pumpkin Patch, 21534 Chestnut Road, $4, ages 2 and under free.
(712) 366-1505; www.ptapples.com.
Donnellson: Pumpkins, squash, gourds, fall ornamentals, corn maze and
sorghum maze. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31, Kathy’s Pumpkin Patch,
1977 Highway 2; 30 cents a pound for pick-your-own pumpkins from the patch.
(319) 470-1558.
Dubuque: Pumpkin patch, corn maze. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends today through
Oct. 29. Hayrides, corn maze adventure, hay bale maze, big corn pile, rope
swings, petting zoo, straw mountain, pumpkins, gourds, squash and mums. Bahl
Family Farm, 6426 Asbury Road. (563) 582-1097.
Fort Dodge: Pumpkin patch. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends in October. Community
Orchards, 2237 160th St. Pumpkins: $2-$6. (888) 573-8218.
Iowa Falls: Pumpkins and apples. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10
a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31. Pumpkins 25 cents a pound. Apple Ridge Orchard,
23543 Highway D-15. (641) 648-9902.
Long Grove: Pumpkin patch. 4 p.m.-dusk Fridays, 11 a.m.-dusk Saturdays,
Sundays, today through Oct. 31. Pride of the Wapsi, 14600 305th St., (563) 2858180; www.prideofthewapsi.com.
Marengo: Pumpkins, gourds, squash, Indian corn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through
Oct. 31. Free weekend hay rides beginning 1-5 p.m. Oct. 6. Hillcrest Garden
Market, 1580 P. Ave. Pick your own pumpkins: $.50-$20. (319) 642-3445.
Mondamin: Pumpkin patch. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Small’s Fruit
Farm, 1844 194th St. Pumpkins 39 cents a pound. (712) 646-2723;
www.smallsfruitfarm.com.
Orange City: Pumpkin patch, corn maze. 10 a.m.-dark Monday-Saturday in
October. Pumpkins, watermelons, squash, gourds, apples, ornamental corn, fall
crafts, jams, jellies and baked goods. Giant windmill-shaped corn maze.
Pumpkinland, 4123 Jackson Ave. Pumpkins: 20 cents a pound. $5 adults, $3.50
children ages 6-12, free for children 5 and under. (712) 737-8364;
www.pumpkinlandiowa.com.
Palo: Pumpkin Patch. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Meadowview Farm,
1870 Covington Road. Pick your own: 20 cents a pound; pre-picked: 25 cents a
pound. (319) 396-2010.
Sanborn: Pumpkin patch, corn maze. Noon-6 p.m Monday-Thursday, noon-9
p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sunday by chance or appointment through Oct. 31.
Solsma’s Pumpkin Patch, 6190 320th St. Pumpkins: $1-$5. Corn maze: $3.50 12
and over, $2.50 11 and under. (712) 729-3174; www.solsma.com.
Wallingford: Pumpkin patch. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. Erickson’s
Produce, 201 Highway 4 North. Pumpkins: $1-$6. (712) 867-4410.
Waterloo: Pumpkin patch, haunted barn, haunted cornfield, play area, hayride.
See the Punkinator, pumpkin launcher that hurls pumpkins 600-800 feet
skyward. 4-8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. weekends in October. Heartland
Farms, 5111 Osage Road, $6. (319) 232-3779.
For more listings, see DesMoinesRegister.com/pumpkinpatch. Send more
pumpkin listings to calendars@dmreg.com.
— Jim Beery
Find the one for you
• Look for a pumpkin with 1 to 2 inches of stem left. If the stem is cut down too
low, the pumpkin will decay quickly.
• Avoid pumpkins with blemishes and soft spots. It should be heavy; shape is
unimportant. A lopsided pumpkin is not necessarily a bad pumpkin.
• To carve or cook, begin by spreading newspaper over your work surface. If you
are carving a face into the pumpkin, cut a "lid" from the top of the pumpkin with a
sharp knife at an angle. This keeps it from falling inside.
• If you are planning to roast the pumpkin seeds, cut in half with a sharp knife. In
any case, remove the stem and scoop out the seeds and scrape away all of the
stringy mass. A messy job, but it will pay off.
• If you're planning to carve the pumpkin, tape your design to the best surface,
then score the design by punching a large nail through the paper.
• If you're planning to boil or steam it, peel the pumpkin and cut it into rather large
chunks. Rinse in cold water. Place pieces in a large pot with about a cup of
water. The water does not need to cover the pumpkin pieces. Cover the pot and
boil for 20 to 30 minutes or until tender, or steam for 10 to 12 minutes. Check for
doneness by poking with a fork. Drain the cooked pumpkin in a colander.
Reserve the liquid to use as a base for soup.
• To microwave it, cut the pumpkin in half, place cut side down on a microwave
safe plate or tray. Microwave on high for 15 minutes, check for doneness. If
necessary, continue cooking at 1-2 minute intervals until fork tender. Pumpkins
spiced with nutmeg can be served as a side vegetable. Pumpkins can also be
mixed with a variety of fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears and rhubarb.
Grains and pumpkins complement one another and work together to create
delicious casseroles.
Source: Iowa State University Extension; University of Illinois Extension