Despite a summer of extreme temperatures and less rain, Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch is ready to open this weekend and provide a wide range of pumpkins.
The patch has 30 acres of pumpkins this year, with three fields for people to pick from.
Sharla Dressler said their yields are expected to be down a bit, but they’re not sure how much.
“There’s plenty to choose from up front with the closer patches,” she said.
The third field is not quite ready, and will not be open for the next week or two, she said. The pumpkins in that patch were planted a little later and need a little more time to ripen before people trample through the vines, she said.
The family started raising pumpkins in 1975, and Dressler’s brother and sister began selling them out of the back of their truck. A few years later, the patch turned to a ‘you pick’ model.
Dressler and her siblings have taken over some operations while her parents ease into retirement, she said.
“It’s just basically come and either bring a wagon or grab one of our wheelbarrows and go out to the patch and wade through the vines because right now they’re up to your waist and just find what you like,” Dressler said.
The patch is a family tradition, and has built relationships across generations.
“It’s become such a tradition for so many people and for us as well and just, you know, the friendships we’ve made and we only see certain people that time of year,” Dressler said. “We have families that have been bringing, you know, three and four generations out so it’s just when you have that type of history you can’t just walk away from it or close it down.”
Dressler hopes that Mother Nature will be a little more compliant in the next few years, she said.
Her mother, owner Janet Schaake, has been involved in farming for over 50 years after marrying her husband Larry. The two are now somewhat retired. Their children are in charge of most farm operations, she said.
The patch has a hay maze, play area and a concession stand. Pumpkin cookies are new to the concession stand this year after huge requests from customers, as well as the returning pumpkin and apple donuts.
There is no admission fee for the patch, and pumpkins are 60 cents a pound this year. They also sell gourds, squash and other decorative items. There are over 100 varieties of pumpkins, Schaake said.
The patch is at 1791 N. 1500 Road in Lawrence and will be open noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
The concessions will be open Friday through Sunday during the patch’s normal business hours.
The patch will be open until Oct. 30.
Reach reporter Sara Malonet at [email protected]
