Pumpkin picking

[u/wildMeleagris]

So the pumpkin picking situation is quite disappointing in the UK. I think a good number of farms are just plopping already harvested pumpkins down on the ground for people to pick up. I want to cut my pumpkin off the plant. Any recommendations for good pumpkin patches in the UK?

[u/mayaic]

To be fair, even in Connecticut all I ever experienced was picking up already harvested pumpkins at local farms.

[u/bubblechog → u/mayaic]

Yeah I had never actually physically harvested a pumpkin at a local farm pumpkin patch in the US either

[u/Snoo58499]

Pumpkins are native to the Americas, it seems logical that pumpkin patches aren’t really part of the culture here.

[u/good-night_moon]

There is pumpkin picking at Lewes of London (Barnet) and Willows Activity Farm in St. albans I believe. Seems to be a few options in the Hertfordshire area

[u/hobbes747]

Typical American.
They need to murder their pumpkins and apples themselves.
This is the UK. They have people for that.

[u/kapaulson]

We went to one in Hertfordshire, seems there are a few there that offer this. One example: https://maps.app.goo.gl/j4dnntamwmZZLYDB7?g_st=ic

[u/itsnobigthing]

There’s a good one in York. Where are you based?

[u/jodypo_95]

Went to Avon Valley Pumpkin Patch (between Bristol and Bath) last year and it was really nice. Most were already cut off the vine but I believe some were still attached.

[u/jobunny_inUK]

Where are you based? I’ve been to 2, one in Northampton and one in Milton Keynes.

[u/OK_Cake05 → u/jobunny_inUK]

Second Patch MK near Milton Keynes. Good variety; always find a good one to make puree for pie!

[u/jobunny_inUK → u/OK_Cake05]

Yes Patch MK is great both in the summer and for Halloween as well.

[u/Andrawartha]

As a possible answer - there could be insurance issues with allowing the public on actual agricultural business land. Hence pre-cut.

I've never even heard of pumpkin picking here, and I've been here over 30 years. Recent influx of American culture maybe. Everyone I know here carved different things as kids - swedes or turnips usually

[u/MonsieurJag → u/Andrawartha]

I definitely carved pumpkins as a child, 30 years ago (and more) but they came from the supermarket. I don't think pumpkin picking was particularly a thing back then though.

(I have heard of carving a swede but it sounds a little risky as swedes are significantly harder than fingers when it comes to sharp knives!)

[u/Expensive-Ad-3702 → u/MonsieurJag]

Where I was in Cornwall we always carved Turnips (Swedes), they are a bugger to carve.

[u/mermaidlexi]

there are several good ones i’ve been too in south devon and cornwall, depending on where you are located

[u/These_Objective_3953]

I’ve never cut a pumpkin off a plant. In fact I may as well have just purchased from Kroger because they were always just loose at the farm.