Pumpkin patches rise in popularity after traditional Halloween activities are cancelled
- Pumpkin patches have become popular this year after traditional Halloween events cancelled
- Boundary farm impacted by covid but pumpkin patch has helped it recover losses
- Pumpkin patches are 'great day out' for families
The cancelling of traditional Halloween activities this year has led to people embracing the outdoors by visiting pumpkin patches – a popular American seasonal tradition.
One of the most popular sites for pumpkin picking in Greater Manchester is the Dunham pumpkin patch on Boundary Farm in Trafford.
The farm is known for its huge apple orchards but the business has impacted by the pandemic.
Jonny Hewitt, who runs the farm’s pumpkin patch, said: “The pandemic has really dried up a core bit of the business, which is apple juice and cider, so a lot of businesses and people have been struggling to make ends meet, and the project of pumpkins has been a big help with that.”
This is the first year of the Dunham pumpkin farm and is fully booked for the season. Jonny has been receiving 100 calls daily from families who have missed out.
He added: “Pumpkin picking outdoors is one of the few activities that parents can do with children, and people of all ages can do to feel normal,.
“I just think the act of getting outdoors this year is the key.”
Jonny believes Instagram may be a factor in the popularity of pumpkin picking.
“It’s very bright, vivid orange pumpkins, which is very Instagrammable, it just creates nice pictures being in the field surrounded by orange pumpkins,” he said.
“It’s an actual experience going on to the farm. They pay for the pumpkins they may buy some food, it’s a great value for money day out.”
Finley Chadwick, who visited Cockfield’s farm in Ashton, said: “It was wonderful. It was a really lovely atmosphere the staff were incredible and the people there seem really happy to be at the pumpkin patch.
“It was my first time visiting a pumpkin patch. I will definitely be going to an event like that next year, where you go around picking a pumpkin and choose exactly which one you want I think it’s a really cool idea.”
He usually celebrates Halloween by going out for a drink with his friends but has been unable to this year due to covid restrictions.
Finley said: “It’s normally more of a night-time event for me.
“I never thought about making it a daytime thing as well, like going out and picking pumpkins.”
