Family run pumpkin patch to open this weekend

Friday, September 28, 2012
After two years of planning, the Ames family will finally open their own pumpkin patch this weekend. Family members Kyle, Melissa and Kaylee Ames hope to bring more family entertainment closer to Putnam County.

As the leaves begin to fall and the temperatures cool, many families are left with finding new and exciting activities to keep their children entertained.

In an effort to bring more entertainment close to home, the Ames family will open its very own pumpkin patch, The Patch, to the public this weekend.

The Patch, offers families with a variety of fall fun activities including hayrides, a corn maze, corn crib, petting zoo as well as picture cut outs and the Pumpkin Express children's ride.

With one young daughter and another child on the way, bringing family fun to Putnam County has been a goal for quite some time.

"We've been to several pumpkin patches and saw that there wasn't one around here," explained Melissa Ames. "He's (Melissa's husband, Kyle) a farmer already and we thought why not add another crop."

The most recent drought in Indiana did cause a few kinks in their plan, however in an effort to have the best crop possible for their new adventure together, Kyle irrigated the pumpkins as well as made sure to water the crops 5-6 days a week, totally around 6,000 gallons of water per week.

"We cleaned and painted the barns, planted the corn maze and mapped out the path, we planted hay for the parking lot," explained Melissa. "The actual pumpkin patch had to be tilled and then we planted the seeds, about 4,000, then we watered the seeds daily and picked the weeds."

The two-acre pumpkin portion of The Patch includes nearly 5,000 pumpkins. The cost of admission is free, however for $3 per person patrons will receive a bracelet for all activities at The Patch.

The you-pick pumpkin patch will be open to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m.

Pumpkins, mums, fall snacks and apple cider slushies will be sold separately.

The Patch welcomes field trips Monday through Friday in the month of October. The cost is $4 per child or $3 per child plus a canned good, which will be donated to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry. The cost also includes a small pumpkin for each child.

The Patch is located at 5943 E. State Road 240 in Greencastle. For more information email melissa@thepatchofputnamcounty.com.

Comments
View 1 comment
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • I have had a preview of this great place. It is very nice and will be fun for children of all ages, as well as adults. I can hardly wait for a cider slushie!

    -- Posted by agatha on Fri, Sep 28, 2012, at 9:06 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: