Pumpkin patches full and ready for picking, despite drought
Although corn and soybean crops have been hit hard by the drought, one central Iowa farmer says the dry weather is helping his pumpkins thrive.
Although corn and soybean crops have been hit hard by the drought, one central Iowa farmer says the dry weather is helping his pumpkins thrive.
Although corn and soybean crops have been hit hard by the drought, one central Iowa farmer says the dry weather is helping his pumpkins thrive.
The drought has crippled many Iowa crops, but farmer Darrell Geisler of Geisler Farms said pumpkins are the exception. He said these last few months have actually been good weather for pumpkins, and his field is full of the "biggest pumpkins [he's] seen for a while."
"As far as pumpkins go, they like it hot and dry," Geisler said. "They kind of thrive on that ... They're kind of a desert plant almost. The lack of a lot of rain helps with some of the soil-borne diseases that they might get, so that helps keep them healthier."
Although other pumpkin farmers' yield may have been affected by the drought, Geisler said his crop got just enough rain at the right times.
"From what we've seen so far picking, it's just going to be a phenomenal pumpkin year — excellent quality," Geisler said.
With a full pumpkin patch and fall right around the corner, Geisler said he hopes pumpkin picking will bring joy to families in the midst of the pandemic.
"Especially with COVID locking them down for so long," Geisler said about his customers, "they just can't wait to get out and do something. We hope we can be there and help them obtain that little bit of freedom for a while."
Pumpkin patches at Geisler Farms are open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.