From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Tipp City, Ohio

I have decided to reduce the size of our goat pasture and plant about an acre or so more of field pumpkins to sell for a roadside stand. I am all ready planting Howden and Howden Biggie, as well as, many other medium and smaller pumpkins. For this acre or so I am thinking of planting more Howden seeds. What other pumpkin seeds would anyone recomend for the same size fruit with nice characteristics such as nice handles and color?

I got my wifes ok to do this and I hope I have the time to make it work properly. hopefully I can make enough $ from this plot to offset what I have and will spend on raising my AG's....Tom

3/26/2002 10:40:16 PM

Indiana

If you find the right market, and have some good luck growing one, the AG can pay for itself.
Tom Beachy

3/26/2002 11:49:16 PM

Western Pa.

Banty,

Try "Gold Rush" seeds if you can get them. Have heard nothing but good things about them.( an "improved" Howden?) Don't plan on getting rich by selling your pumpkins, and plan on spending more growing AGs than you make.(That is, unless you consistently grow the 900# + size!) I usually end up giving away smaller pumpkins every year.

kilr

3/27/2002 8:44:51 AM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

I made enough one year to buy a new shotgun, but not much more..i dont care what you say farming is farming and you just aint gonna make any money at it.. here's a idea, you might think of.. leave your pumpkins in the field and let the city folk come out and pick their own the kids really love it, it adds a alot to the whole experience, also advertise.. come see the biggest pumpkin in these parts over 900 lbs.. none of the city slickers can tell the difference between a 400 pounder and a 900 pounder!!that will really draw them in!!

3/27/2002 9:30:47 AM

Cooks Creek, Manitoba, Canada

I will be testing a different field pumpkin this year called Sorcerer - I usually grow a few Howden's. If you go to this web site you can see the details on it: www.ttseeds.com

Now that I live in a rural setting, over the next few years, I will be expanding the number of both my field and AG's with a same goal in mind, but I'll be combining it with a u-pick fruit orchard.

3/27/2002 9:42:57 AM

Rush, NY

Those who are considering a "pick your own" operation be sure to check with Your Insurance Carrier before you do it. I considered doing that a few years ago and found out my Homeowners policy WOULD NOT cover an injury on my property if they were in my pumpkin patches. I would have to buy BUSINESS insurance and it was very expensive. I carry what is called a "vendors policy" for $150 per year, which would cover an injury in my pumpkin selling area.

3/27/2002 2:50:06 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Thanks for the info. First time to grow, Last year I grew an acre of assorted pumpkins and gourds. Sold everyone. But I was selling dirt cheap (like around 5-10 cents per pound.) We live Just north of Dayton and had a lot of city people come out and said our prices were more than half other country side road stands.One place I checked out was selling for 30 cents/lb. So I'm expanding the size of the patch.

My thinking on selling the pumpkins cheap is....
1...I get to see not only my own kids smiles on their faces
but others as well.
2...I sold everything!!!!
3...Sold a lot by word of mouth. Someone actually came to buy some mini gourds that we were selling 6 for $1.00 and ended up taking home over $50.00 of pumpkins/gourds
4...Net profit was over $500 for the acre (we had a nice amount for christmas).

I wish I would have recorded the number of hours I had into it for I'm sure I was not even close to making minimum wage. But what else is a stay at home dad to do during the summer? For the fun of it....Tom

3/28/2002 11:42:30 AM

Pulaski Tn blkcloud@igiles.net

What does one have to do to become a stay at home dad??

3/28/2002 4:36:08 PM

Ga.

blckcloud,,,having an understanding wife helps,,,and wash dishes,clothes,clean house,,and watch the kids at the same time....Just as hard as a regular job,,trust me...I'm sure Bantam will agree with me on this one.....

3/28/2002 5:16:52 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

Bantam, I figured it out one year after sell 8 acres of pumpkins.... made about 37 cents an hour....

3/28/2002 5:28:53 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

blkcloud, I do agree with jeff. I left my Engineering Career 3-1/2 years ago. Making a lot of money, but figured that most would go to uncle Sam and sitters and I would not even know what my kids were up to. Since my wife had much better insurance and more time off (teacher hours) than I did (two weeks sick/vacation time) the person staying home was obvious and I will not trade it for the world. Raising the pumpkins just gave me something to do during the summer besides the kids love it....Tom

3/31/2002 10:52:48 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

Tom, Just remember "teacher hours" doesn't just mean 7:45-2:00. You have to add on the time it take to prepare, lesson plans, research, grading, talking to parents and talking to other teachers. Then during time off you get to take class at the college and university. Also get to buy stuff for your classroom. $300- 1200 per
yr spent by most teachers in CA. (28+ yrs. teaching and now retired.

4/1/2002 12:41:40 AM