Giant Pumpkins Attract New Customers

Growing giant pumpkins takes up valuable real estate that could grow smaller gourds that are easier to sell. But the eye-catching pumpkins are valuable for promotion, says Joe House, who lines his rural driveway with his biggest pumpkins.

"Last year I had 40 pumpkins weighing between 100 and 992 lbs.," he says. "My biggest draw was three 200 to 300-lb. pumpkins set on on wire spools." Placed in a horseshoe shape with other gourds and cornstalks creating a backdrop, customers sat on a bale in front of the scene, took photos and posted them on Facebook. The "picture spot," and House's reasonable prices, attracted a lot of new customers to The Pumpkin Place in Princeville, Ill.

Eleven years ago, the retired ag teacher started small, just growing pumpkins for family gatherings. He put the extra pumpkins out by the road with a locked box, and customers paid by the honor system. He still has the box for self-pay, but since retiring five years ago, his pumpkin-growing hobby has grown to three acres of pumpkins and another 1/2-acre of gourds as well as Indian and specialty corns.

"I have 160 varieties of pumpkins and every specialty and color there is," House says. Flat pumpkins that can be stacked have been strong sellers in recent years. They and other specialty pumpkins used for decorating sell well in September. In October, visitors choose more traditional pumpkins for carving.

Some, who want to make a statement, go for the larger pumpkins up to about 200 lbs., which House sells for around 25 cents/lb. Bigger than that, they are too big for most people to handle. Though House says he may cut back on supersize pumpkins next year, he will always grow a few. "It’s exciting to see what seeds from your crosses will produce," he says, explaining he experiments with hand pollinating to cross plants to grow big pumpkins with a good shape and bright orange color.

Want To Read More?
Recieve FARM SHOW's unpublished stories & archived favorites delivered directly to your inbox!
CLICK HERE to Sign-Up for FARM SHOW's NEWSLETTERS!

Want even more FARM SHOW?
CLICK HERE to quickly & securely Subscribe for 12-months of FARM SHOW Magazine!