Wet Season Takes its Toll on Pumpkin Patches

Lewisburg, Union County--Pumpkin patch problems. This wet weather is not a welcome site for this fall favorite.

Alan Ard of Ard's Farm in Lewisburg says, "The wet weather is not good for the pumpkins. They don't like it."

Tyler Jarrett of Ard's Farm in Lewisburg says, "This year compared to last year isn't good. There aren't as many and the pumpkins are rotting."

Like many places in Central PA, the rain washed away much of the pumpkin patch here at Ard's Farm in Lewisburg.

Ard says, "We yielded about 25 percent of our normal crop."

The guys say they may be short on pumpkins, but not on crowds. This place has been packed with pumpkin lovers since they came in so if you want on, act fast.

Ard notes, "We sell thousands. We pick bins and bins and bins."

And while most of the picked pumpkins were far from the cream of the crop, the farmers at Ard's have faith that the incoming batch will be much better just in time for Halloween.

Ard says, "The secret is to keep them alive. Keep the vines healthy as they go through their life cycle."

Jarrett adds, "We're waiting and hoping that in the next few weeks we'll have lots of pumpkins to pick."

Ard says while pumpkin prices at his farm will remain steady, expect increases in grocery stores and other places farther from the field due to the shortage.