The Pumpkins

It is with sadness that we have taken the decision to pause the pumpkin patch in 2025. We will miss you this year!

In May 2020, James and Peta launched Rutland Pumpkins - planting 8,000 pumpkin seeds on a field adjacent to James’ sister Abigail’s business, Live Lab, which provides grain, feedstuff and soil analysis for farmers across the country. We were delighted with how many people came to see us and cannot wait to see you all again this year!

Before planting the first pumpkin seeds, the pumpkin patch novices sought the advice of pumpkin patch veterans Rob and Jen, of Yorkshire Pumpkins. Just in the nick of time too, the pumpkin seeds were about to be drilled in the ground and Rob informed us that a maize drill would definitely not do for planting pumpkins! As you know, maize grows upwards, therefore the seeds can be planted quite close together – not so for pumpkins – which need ample room to spread their vines and tendrils! This was timely advice and we were able to work with local contractors to buy the requisite plates and drill the pumpkin seeds with enough room to grow.

Fast-forward to 2024 and we were excited to welcome you all back to the pumpkin patch, for the fifth year! Pumpkin varieties include Jack be Little’s, small white Casperitas, colourful Turks Turbans, non-edible gourds which come in incredible shapes and sizes and your traditional carving varieties like the Early Abundance and Early King. The Early King can reach up to 12 kilograms in weight, so they really do require a wheelbarrow to be carted around - we have lots of wheelbarrows available to borrow!