{"id":29454,"date":"2025-10-31T08:44:43","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=29454"},"modified":"2025-10-31T10:44:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T17:44:11","slug":"agritourism-how-pumpkins-are-grown-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2025\/10\/31\/agritourism-how-pumpkins-are-grown-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Agritourism – How Pumpkins are Grown in California"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This October, we\u2019re celebrating California\u2019s fall harvest season, along with California Farmer and Farmworker Month \u2013 by exploring the people, places, and flavors that make our state\u2019s agriculture special. In partnership with CA GROWN\u2019s<\/a> new digital hub \u2014 Experience California Agriculture<\/a> \u2014 we\u2019re highlighting farm adventures across the Golden State. From hands-on u-pick orchards and vineyard tours to local food experiences, this new resource makes it easier to connect with California\u2019s vibrant agricultural communities across the state!<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever wondered how pumpkins are grown? We met with two California pumpkin farmers to get the inside scoop (no pun intended). Ryan Van Groningen <\/a> is a commercial pumpkin farmer at Van Groningen and Sons<\/a> in Manteca, California. Scott Hunter <\/a> is a pumpkin farmer AND runs Hunter Farms<\/a> pumpkin patch in Atwater, California. Let\u2019s learn more about how pumpkins are grown in California!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are pumpkins grown in California?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Pumpkins are grown in most counties in California. The majority of commercial production takes place in San Joaquin County. The warm days are offset by cooler nights, courtesy of the nearby Sacramento Delta. Ryan Van Groningen explains, \u201cWe can be 100+ during the day but we still enjoy that 70 degrees at night, which really does well for pumpkins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are pumpkins grown in California?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Van<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkins are typically started from seed in plastic trays. When a pumpkin farmer plants his seeds depends on when he needs to harvest. The pumpkins at VanGronigan and Sons are sold commercially, which means they need to start their seeds much sooner. Many retailers carry pumpkins starting in late August and September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since it can take up to 120 days until a pumpkin is ready to harvest, some commercial growers need to start their seeds in a greenhouse to avoid late season frosts that would kill the young plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Hunter Farms, the pumpkins are sold exclusively at the pumpkin patch (which doesn\u2019t open until the end of September). Hunter starts his seed outdoors in May or June \u2013 well past any danger of frost. After 7-10 days, the seedlings have germinated and are ready to plant in the field. Once the seedlings are in the ground, they\u2019ll continue to mature for between 90-120 days, depending on the variety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are pumpkins grown sustainably?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability is very important to California farmers. Good stewardship of our soil, water and air allows the land to be productive for generations to come. Water conservation is critical in the Golden State. To conserve water, most pumpkin farmers use drip irrigation. \u201cWith that method, we\u2019re able to give the plant exactly what it needs in terms of water and fertilizer. We\u2019re not wasting anything and we\u2019re able to get it directly to the plant,\u201d Van Groningen states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Van Groningen and Sons, the rows of pumpkin plants are lined with black plastic mulch to prevent the growing pumpkins from sitting in wet patches. This also helps to naturally suppress weeds and pests. Pumpkins require specific nutrients, and compost is often used as a natural fertilizer. Most pumpkin farmers have minimal electric usage because pumpkins don\u2019t require any type of processing after harvest, and sorting and grading is done by hand. A pumpkin patch, on the other hand, would have more significant consumption. That\u2019s why Hunter Farms has installed solar fields that power their pumps and provide for the facility\u2019s electric needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do farmers know when pumpkins are ready to harvest?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most pumpkin farmers grow decorative pumpkins, so there\u2019s no need to worry about their crop reaching optimal sugar levels or maturity. They determine when to harvest based off of two simple factors: color of the pumpkin and how dry the stem is. If picked too early, pumpkins won\u2019t last as long. If picked too late, they\u2019ll quickly turn to mush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkins<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin plants have a limited life cycle, so it\u2019s important not to wait too long after they\u2019ve ripened to harvest. \u201cIf you wait too long, that pumpkin plant will get weaker and weaker,\u201d Hunter explains. \u201cIn the Central Valley, the heat can become an issue. We have to make sure the sun doesn\u2019t burn our plants. The minute they start maturing, the plants themselves start to brown up. When they don\u2019t have any more shade, the sun will burn them, and they become susceptible to insects. So once they\u2019re ready to go we get them outta there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are pumpkins harvested?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkins are hand harvested by a team of skilled workers. The harvest crew is trained to handle the pumpkins with care in order to not damage them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOur team needs to know that people purchase pumpkins with their eyes,\u201d Van Groningen states. They use clippers or knives to carefully snip the pumpkins from the vine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Team<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Hunter Farms, the pumpkins are harvested into wooden storage bins. The bins are transported on a trailer to the barn, where they are sold to customers. At Van Groningen and Sons, smaller pumpkins are loaded into plastic bins, while larger pumpkins are carefully loaded directly onto trailers. From here, they are transported to a warehouse where they are sized, graded and sent off to retailers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens after harvest?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After all of the \u201cpretty\u201d pumpkins have been harvested, Van Groningen and Sons uses the rest of the crop for feed. At Hunter Farms, they compost the remaining plant material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon after harvest, pumpkin farmers will need to make decisions about the next year\u2019s crop. They evaluate the success of each variety and decide what they\u2019ll be planting the following year. This is done so far in advance because it can be challenging to find seed to grow some of the more novel pumpkin varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some pumpkin farmers grow cover crops during the cooler months. This can enrich the soil and helps to naturally suppress insects and soil-borne diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you support local pumpkin farmers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Supporting local pumpkin farmers is simple and fun! The easiest way to support pumpkin farmers is to buy California grown pumpkins \u2013 at your local grocer or a nearby pumpkin patch. Use them for fall decor, to make jack-o-lanterns, or even whip up a few fall treats using homemade pumpkin pur\u00e9e<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not sure where the pumpkins at your local grocer were grown? Look for the CA GROWN license plate or signage, or simply ask! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to visit a California pumpkin patch? Hunter Farms is smack dab in the middle of the state, and definitely worth the trek! Learn more and purchase your tickets here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n