Pumpkins at Hicks Orchard

Starting around mid September one will spot orange orbs popping up in the barnyard at Hicks. A special barnyard pumpkin patch is filled with all sorts of shapes, sizes and varieties of pumpkins picked especially for uses as jack-o-lanterns or fall decorations. And the pumpkin patch is a great place to take pictures of your little ones!

The Pumpkin Patch is located in the barnyard starting mid September until mid October. Sugar “Pie” pumpkins are available inside the apple barn in the fall produce section.

Interesting Pumpkin Facts....

• Did you know... Pumpkin flowers are edible?
• Pumpkins seeds can be roasted as a snack, be sure to save yours when you hollow out your jack-o-lantern. They are very high in iron.
• Pumpkins are also used as feed for animals.
• The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkins, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took 6 hours to bake.
• Pumpkins originated in Central America. They are now grown on every continent except Antarctica.
• In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.
• Pumpkins were once recommended for curing snake bites and removing freckles.
• The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
• Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family “curcubits”.
• Pumpkins are 90% water.
• Pumpkins are fruit.
• In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin in an open fire.
They also flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.
• Native Americans called pumpkins “isqoutm squash”.
• Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops, removed the seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.