Things have got a bit scary down on the farm as The Watercress Company has grown a huge ‘pick your own’ Pumpkin Patch in time to help local youngsters celebrate Halloween.
Knap Farm in Owermoigne, Dorset normally produces 2 million kg of brilliant green watercress a year, but a trial run at growing pumpkins on the land adjacent to the beds has proved a spooktacular success – perhaps it’s the natural spring water that feeds the watercress with healthy minerals and nutrients that has encouraged such fine specimens.
Tom Amery, MD of The Watercress Company said; “Watercress is a pretty unique crop as it is grown in special beds in flowing spring water. This means that we tend to have some land near the beds that is uncultivated. With Halloween being such a big event these days, and we suspect even bigger in 2021 as youngsters make up for last year, we think pumpkins will be in huge demand. When I told the staff what we planned to do most went ‘oh Gourd!’ but it looks like going scarily well!”
The Pumpkin Patch at Knap Farm DT2 8HZ is open from Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th and Saturday 30th October from 8am – 4pm.
Visitors are encouraged to pay £5 online to book a Fast-Track ticket which includes ANY size pumpkin, entry for a whole household and free parking. They’ll be able to skip the queues and under the guidance of friendly staff find, and pick, the perfect pumpkin. The option to turn up and pay on the day is available, but customers will be charged according to the pumpkin’s size and places are going fast, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
There are three pumpkin varieties (who knew?) on offer: Gold Medal, Crown Prince and Polar Bear – all in various shapes and sizes. Ideal for carving, for decoration or for eating!
To make the experience even more horribly fun, on the Tuesday and Saturday, Alpacas – Marley, Sheldon, Franki, Ziggy, Cecil, Crumble – (on loan from Portland Alpacas) will be dressed to impress for Halloween, and available for walks and selfies. To make them feel less self-conscious in their costumes, fancy dress is encouraged by humans too! On Wednesday and Thursday, other wildlife will be available – yet to be agreed – possibly vampire bats or giant spiders – but most likely lambs!
It is estimated to take around 30 minutes to find that perfect pumpkin and as it’s such thirsty work, refreshments will be available.
Make Halloween devilishly good this year – bring the kids to pick their perfect pumpkin and enjoy a great family day out! For full details visit https://www.watercress.co.uk/pumpkin/buy
