Yes, it is that time of year when many of us are thinking about Pumpkins. I know the grandchildren are looking forward to getting theirs and making their 'jack-o’-lanterns'. There are many pumpkin patches, pick your own sites around the UK (and I'm sure worldwide too). The owners, the farmers have been busy growing and cultivating their pumpkin crop. One such farmer is Chris Hoggard, and you can read his story below.
"A farmer who is getting ready to harvest more than 30,000 pumpkins said it all began with a packet of seeds sown for his children one Halloween.
Chris Hoggard, of Howe Bridge Farm in Malton, North Yorkshire, started growing pumpkins some 25 years ago when his son Thomas was a baby.
That year he grew 10, with the eight he did not need being sold at the farm gate.
He now raises about 15,000 plants and welcomes visitors from across the UK.
He said: "I bought a few seeds from the supermarket and planted them and we had no idea if they would grow or not, but of course they grew on a vine and all over the place.
"We had about 10 pumpkins so we put the other eight that we didn't want out on a stand with an honesty box. That was on a Saturday morning, and by the afternoon they had all gone.
"The year after we planted about 200 plants and then we sold them all within a week. Then we increased that number to 500 or so.
"We just kept doubling up until we got the number we are at today."
Mr Hoggard's farm is family-run, but they employ about seven staff in the farm shop and have just taken on an apprentice, to help with the harvest.
"People come from all over to the farm," he said. "The pumpkins can be seen from the road and sometimes people have passed us on their way to a holiday cottage, and come back to buy a pumpkin."
"It's just got bigger and bigger."
"We started picking about a fortnight ago. We cut them all to let the stalks dry and cure and transfer them onto the field where we sell them."
Photo credit Danny Lawson, you can see the original article and more photographs here
Dear reader, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, cartoons, music and recipes!
However, not all the food and recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.
All the best Jan
Of course talking pumpkin you may like to try this recipe
Thai Pumpkin Soup
A low carb high fat Thai pumpkin soup for cooler days.
It’s dairy-free, too!
see recipe details here
However, not all the food and recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.
All the best Jan
35 comments:
Pumpkin picking has become a seasonal activity. It's fun for all ages and something we can all share. We have a pumpkin farm at my corner and it attracts tons of people ... Interesting read
A lovely story and that soup looks amazing! I got some parsnips to try a version of your soup from yesterday.
Interesting Jan. We don't place too much importance on Jack o Lanterns down here as it's one of those American things that has crept into our country that some people have taken a licking to.
I enjoyed the story. And I will try the recipe, YUM!
Interesting story..and the soup looks so creamy and good!
...pumpkins are the in thing!
Halloween hasn't really reached us. I do love pumpkin soup though. And pumpkin more generally.
I've read that pumpkin seeds are a healthy snack!
Nice story.
Ingo bought pumpkin at the market and said it was the driest he´s ever had. Sad.
I'm sure many others are like me thinking it can't be that time of the year already! A couple of years ago I spent Halloween with my son and DIL in Yorkshire and they took me to this farm to choose a couple of pumpkins. Pumpkin soup was high on the menu.
I like pumpkin anyway, this year I have not been able to harvest in my small garden, let's wait for the next one.
Best regards
Great story, now I'm longing for pumpkin soup! VAlerie
I can't wait to choose our pumpkins at the farm. The soup looks delicious. X
Mind blowing post
That reminds me of when we first moved here, there was a farm down the road. They planted pumpkins in a field near the house. When the pumpkins were ready, you could go and pick your own. We did that when the girlies were little. You'd pick your pumpkin and carry it to the Mrs. who would weight the pumpkin and you would pay something like 20 cents per pound. The Mrs. past away and whoever is farming there now doesn't plant pumpkins.
Hello,
Love the pumpkin story. The Thai Pumpkin soup sounds delicious.
Have a great day and happy week ahead!
That's a great story. Here in the US pumpkins just scream fall. Pumpkin everything is everywhere. It's a little too much. So this story is a nice reassurance that there pumpkin patches to go get just a pumpkin. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning, I love pumpkin season
I want that soup. Perfect. Thank you for sharing
Hi Jan, a very interesting story. I usually put pumpkin in my soups instead of potatoes. Your Thai Pumpkin Soup recipe should be delicious.
Thank you for this wonderful story and for the delicious soup :)
I'm not a lover of pumpkin, but that's a great success story! Take care, Sue xx
What a great pumpkin story!!
What an interesting read. I was amazed by all those pumpkins.
I do like pumpkin pie.
Once upon a time in a land not far away I used to regularly make pumpkin soup...when I was cooking in restaurants. It's ages since I've made pumpkin soup...I do like it, though.
Take care. :)
Soup looks delicious.
Amalia
xo
What a great story! I love accidental businesses. The Thai soup sounds amazing!
what an inspiring story :)
beginning is always with less and a tiny hope though faith and hard work is real miracle :)
I grew a pumpkin quite accidently once. Had removed the seeds and some pulp and just tossed it out in the flowerbed with plans to toss it into the trash. Up popped a pumpkin vine that produced several small pumpkins. It was fun.
Yum on the soup.
i always want to "pick" one from the field and the hubs doesn't get it. he always says "why would you do that when there are so many at the market, already picked, and lined up"!
the soup looks so good...i love crazy soups, especially in the fall and winter!!!
i forgot to say that the story was interesting, on how this farmer got started!!
Que interesante, me ha encantado. Besos.
I always think "what a waste" when at this time of year I see all the pumpkins on sale to be used at Halloween and to then disappear from the shops. But it's good to see a famer getting some benefit by diversifying and still growing real food rather than grass for silage.
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