The pumpkin patch tradition is fairly new here in the UK (Picture: Getty/jayk7)
Planning on getting in on the trend and heading to a pumpkin patch this Halloween?
Like many Brits new to the craze, you may be shocked to learn that these destinations aren’t quite what they seem.
Far from plucking the squash from their vines like you would at a ‘pick your own’ fruit farm, pumpkin patches are more like outdoor showrooms – information that’s blowing minds across the country.
On X, formerly Twitter, @HannahAlOthman shared her discovery.
‘“Pumpkin picking” is the biggest scam going. Discovered last year it’s just a load of pumpkins from Aldi, chucked on a muddy field, for 10 times the price. Never again,’ Hannah penned, subsequently going viral with 16K likes.
Hannah’s followers were aghast, with @MrMatthewTodd joking in the comments: ‘They should re-name it “pumpkin picking-up.”‘
Pumpkins have long been associated with Halloween (Picture: Getty Images/500px)
‘Just buy a load of Aldi ones, bang them in the garden when the kids go to bed, tell them the Halloween goblin has grown them overnight,’ @windygal01 wrote in jest, adding that you could ‘charge neighbours for their kids to come and pick one.’
This isn’t the first time this discovery has been made, as @bertnews shared a similar revelation last year.
‘I did not realise the whole pumpkin picking phenomenon was coming to a field where people have placed pumpkins to pick them up,’ he said. ‘We are quite, quite mad.’
Rob’s followers were aghast, with one saying: ‘Is it really?! Oh my goodness.’
‘I too had assumed it to be more like strawberry picking,’ replied another, while a third added: ‘It’s crazy! Not unlike going to a supermarket where people have placed large quantities of packaged food in a building.’
Many pumpkin patches pre-harvest their fruit (Picture: Getty Images)
Some highlighted that most pumpkin patches also have rides and activities for children to make a day of it. Plus, they’re great for photo opportunities.
A few also recommended spots that don’t pre-harvest their crop, letting you do the fun part yourself.
Yet for the most part, people were baffled at the popular US tradition, claiming it was ‘all for Instagram’ or ‘a scam’ where pumpkins are marked up due to the ‘experience.’
If you’re feeling shortchanged by this autumnal illusion, it’s worth noting that many places do the picking ahead of time due to health and safety reasons.
It’s that time of year again (Picture: Getty Images)
Pumpkins grow on thick ‘peduncle’ stems which require a blade or sturdy gardening shears to cut – not ideal among crowds of little ones.
Their vines can also cover the ground, causing a trip hazard and hiding mounds or ditches where visitors could fall.
Check ahead of time to ensure you’re buying a pumpkin grown locally (some patches do import theirs or buy them in) or if you’d prefer to do the harvesting yourself.
Otherwise, try not to think too hard about the weirdness of the situation; just enjoy the opportunity for a seasonal day out and grit your …read more
Source:: Metro
