Pumpkins plumping up for Fall
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Posted 4:39 PM 9/14/2012 : Pumpkins plumping up for Fall
THREE POINTS, Ariz. - Local pumpkin farmers are getting excited about this year's crop.
No Autumn is complete until you've picked out that perfect pumpkin and thanks in part to a good Monsoon this year is expected to be a as good as any when it comes to locally grown gourds. Nick Buckelew, of Buckelew Farms, says this year's Monsoon got his pumpkin patch off to a good start and even delayed some of his irrigation.
"We've had some Monsoons but we supplement the rainfall with irrigation and they've done well this year. You can see we've got all sizes and shapes and they're just starting to turn orange," explains Buckelew.
Genetically bred seeds have also helped grow a healthy crop this year. Hybrid seeds help defend the soon to be Jack-O-Lanterns from diseases like mosaic virus and powdery mildew.
Buckelew Farms has had 18 different types of pumpkins on over 40 acres do well this year. Buckelew says, "We have big ones, small ones. Pumpkins with warts on them, pumpkins with wrinkles. Tall pumpkins, skinny pumpkins. Red ones, blue ones."
It's not only the variety that keeps people coming out to the local pumpkin patch but the farm experience as well. "You know taking a wagon ride out in the field, we've got food, arts and crafts and a petting zoo. It's just a real festival in October," says Buckelew.
To find out more about Buckelew Farms Pumpkin Festival or Terror in the Corn visit their website at http://www.buckelewfarm.com/.
