In recent years, the UK has seen a growth in the popularity of Pick Your Own (PYO) pumpkin on farms, becoming a common family activity to do during Autumn. PYO pumpkins on farms are now dotted across the country, welcoming families to hand-pick their perfect pumpkins to celebrate Halloween. This trend ties into the growing demand for seasonal, local experiences that combine the outdoors with the tradition of pumpkin carving for Halloween.

Some of the most popular PYO pumpkin farms include Cattows Farm in Leicestershire and Pumpkin Moon in Kent. These farms offer a wide variety of pumpkins, in different colours, sizes and shapes, with some providing other activities such as pumpkin carving workshops and food to enhance the experience. 

Where to Find Your Local Patch

Finding a local pumpkin patch is easy with many farms across the UK joining the PYO movement. The BBC Good Food guide offers a great resource for finding the best spots in your area. Many farms also have their own social media so you can keep up to date with availability, opening times and events.

History of Halloween

Carving pumpkins, particularly around Halloween, is a tradition that originated from an ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred and spirits could roam the Earth. To ward off these spirits, people would carve scary faces into turnips or other root vegetables and place a light inside to scare away any negativity.

Now it’s not just about warding off spirits, it’s about getting creative with your loved ones and enjoying Autumn!

Fun Facts

– In 2021, an estimated 10 million pumpkins were grown in the UK!

– Pumpkins are 90% water and are part of the squash family

– Pumpkins are a great source of vitamins A and C and can be used in lots of delicious recipes:

Recipe ideas

To prevent food waste, why not try cooking with your pumpkin after Halloween? Here are some ideas:

1. Pumpkin cake – because who doesn’t love a slice of cake! It tastes similar to carrot cake 
2. Pumpkin soup – perfect for chilly nights, roasted pumpkin soup with a dash of cream, delicious! 
3. Roasted pumpkin seeds – don’t throw away the seeds! Roast them with a little olive oil and salt for a crunchy snack

Whether you’re carving or cooking pumpkins, PYO on farms all over the UK is a great way to celebrate the Autumn season. So this year, head out to your nearest farm and pick your perfect pumpkins!