Pumpkin picking success on day one
By Connor Steel / Photograph by Hollam Nurseries
WITH Hallowe’en approaching, it is now ‘pumpkin picking’ season in Britain with many families and adults wanting to try this traditional autumnal activity.
On a dry but overcast Saturday morning Titchfield-based Hollam Nurseries was just one of many sites opening their doors to visitors wanting to ‘pick their own’, with huge crowds documenting their finds and photographs on social media much to the delight of business organisers.
Pick your Own (PYO) pumpkins at Hollam was opened at 10am this morning (October 16), with a steady stream of customers that continued throughout the day until the farm shut for business at 4pm. In just six hours it was predicted hundreds visited the Nurseries to pick pumpkins and take in the autumnal scenery, with wheelbarrows available for visitors to transport their chosen fruit of varying weights and sizes.
But those who missed out on day one shouldn’t worry! The PYO site will be open every day until Hallowe’en (Sunday, October 31) between 10am and 4pm including half term week, although this may change due to weather conditions or if the site runs out of pumpkins early as seen in 2020. Each pumpkin will cost £3 each or a special reduction of four for £10; card and cash payments are welcome.
There is no need to book a time slot to attend and while dogs are welcome they must be kept on a lead across the entire site. Visitors should also use the main farm-shop entrance and respect those who want to maintain social distancing, with hand washing facilities available. Another recommendation is wearing appropriate clothing and wellies due to muddy patches that will only get worse as people use the site, alongside rainy weather expected this week.
Hollam Nurseries is a farmer’s market located on Titchfield Road and a family run business selling home and locally produced flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables. It is often open in mid-January with early daffodil pickings, while PYO strawberries and sunflower facilities operate at regular intervals during the summer. Pumpkin picking is often the last event of the annum before the shop and site close in November, which can be due to weather c0nditions and associated poor harvests.
