KING OF PRUSSIA PA – Several farms in western Montgomery County are earning greater visibility, thanks to an article on pumpkin patches compiled by the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board.
The story, “Local Pumpkin Patches to Visit in Montco this Fall,” was written by Ava Jackowsky, a digital marketing intern working with the board. Of eight pumpkin patches where it suggests customers can find “the perfect pumpkin” or just enjoy the fall season, six are found in the county’s western half.
Included on the unranked local list are:
- Merrymead Farm, 2222 S. Valley Forge Rd., Lansdale;
- Northern Star Farm, 112 E. 3rd Ave., Trappe;
- Floral & Hardy, 4007 Skippack Pike, Skippack;
- Cedar Hollow Farm, 2475 Quakertown Rd., Pennsburg;
- Arader Farm, 746 S. Trappe Road, Collegeville; and
- Abby’s Pumpkins, 2471 Little Rd. Perkiomenville.
Rounding out the list of eight are Maple Acres Farm, 2656 Narcissa Rd., Plymouth Meeting; and
Kohler Farms, 1262 Limekiln Pike, Ambler.
Jackowsky’s commentaries on each are accompanied by large, complimentary photos intended to give readers a view of what they might expect.
She also notes that “these local spots have everything you need … for a great day out.” Many offer activities like hay- or wagon rides, corn mazes, pumpkin painting, and a variety of foods and treats for purchase. Some charge per-person admission fees.
“Grab your sweater” and go, the bureau encourages visitors.
When Halloween ends, use your pumpkin again
When your fall or Halloween pumpkin is no longer suitable as a decoration, don’t throw it in the garbage, environmental experts plead. Like most organic matter, pumpkins left to decompose in a landfill emit climate-altering methane gas, they explain.
Instead, they suggest several better ways to put former jack-o-lanterns to use:
- Compost them. Because pumpkins are mostly water and decompose quickly, they make a great addition to a compost pile. Compost helps provide nutrient-rich soil for gardens. Before composting, remove any non-organic materials (like candles or wax), and cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces.
- Bake them. Use a whole, uncarved pumpkin to make pumpkin puree for baked goods like pumpkin pie, bread, or muffins.
- Make a bird-feeder. Hollowed-out pumpkins can be used as bird feeders. First, cut off the top of the pumpkin to create a good-sized opening. Next, remove any candles or burnt areas or they aren’t accidentally ingested. Then add seed, and hang the feeder.
- Make a planter. Pumpkins can be used as planters for annuals bought from a nursery. They can serve as festive decorations, then be planted (the whole thing!) in the ground. The naturally composting pumpkins will fertilizer the plants for next spring’s growth.
- Preserve the seeds, and plant them. Author Maria Isabela Reis call the idea a “sustainable approach,” because it “gives you a head start” on growing a pumpkin patch of your own next year.”
Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash+, used by Travels With The Post under license
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