Despite weather causing some issues for Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch, the patch will open next weekend with 100 varieties of pumpkins.
The 30-acre patch persists even with excessive heat and insufficient rain to make the pumpkins their usual size and quantity.
For those wanting to make a trip to find their perfect pumpkin, the patch will open Saturday, Sept 28.
People can bring their own wagons or use one of the farm’s wheelbarrows and trek out through the fields to pick the pumpkins straight off the vines. Entrance into the patch is free, and pumpkins are paid for by weight. They’ll be cheaper this year with less rain making them lighter.
The patch has been operating for over 40 years on the farm of Janet and Larry Schaake. The family started raising pumpkins in 1975, when their daughter Sheila Schaake wanted to grow them for a 4-H project with her brother.
The children decided to start selling pumpkins out of a pickup truck next to K-10. After selling in a parking lot for a while, things started to expand.
“And then people would say, ‘Hey, do you have any of those big pumpkins?’” Sheila Schaake said. “Then we started sending people to the farm, and that’s kind of how it just turned into people coming out and picking pumpkins.
Today, the patch is run mostly by Janet and Larry’s children since the couple is somewhat retired.
Being retired doesn’t stop them from helping out with planting operations, though, especially since they’ve created a whole community around the patch.
“My dad has farmed his whole life, and this is his place. So that being said, he will never fully retire,” Sharla Dressler said. “If they weren’t out here, or they weren’t a part of it, I feel like it wouldn’t be the same setting or the same feeling around here.”
Over the years, the patch has kept a lot of the same families coming year after year, Dressler said.
Getting to see parents bring their kids and then become parents themselves and continue the tradition makes it special, as does seeing thousands of people show up each fall, she said.
“It’s funny because, I mean, every year we’re surprised at how many new people come,” Dressler said.
Marilyn Ryun started going to the patch when her son was 5 – now he’s 42. She takes her class of preschoolers there every fall. It’s still one of her favorite places to be, she said.
Having the children see a working farm, interact with animals and wade through the fields of pumpkins is not only educational but their favorite field trip, she said.
Over the years, she’s gotten to know the Schaakes. They’re the kindest family with the best intentions, she said. Their prices are affordable and realistic for families, too, she said.
“I love the fact that their heart is in it,” Ryun said. “To me, they offer more than what they’ll ever get back in return.”
Pumpkin season is a family affair, and pretty much the whole family is still involved to some extent, Dressler said.
“It’s the best family bonding experience you can have,” Dressler said. “We always used to joke that if you’re not in the pumpkin patch hoeing the weeds, you are getting talked about, and that’s pretty much true.”
They’re glad to be able to still involve their parents, and Dressler said although her dad wouldn’t ever admit it, he loves it.
This year, although yield is down, Dressler and her family look forward to getting to see crowds enjoying the patch, hay maze, play area and animals. They’ll also have the concession stand stocked with doughnuts, slushies and cookies
Pumpkins are 60 cents a pound this year. They also sell gourds, squash and other decorative items. They do not expect to run out of pumpkins because that has only happened once.
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 until Oct. 30.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected].
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