Postcards from the Pumpkin Patch

Have you ever been to a pumpkin patch, my pumpkins? I’m sure my Mom will protest otherwise (sorry, Mamala!), but I’d never really been to a pumpkin patch before (I only recall picking up pumpkins from the supermarket). So, when we stumbled upon the Live Oak Canyon pumpkin patch in Yucaipa while on a random road trip, I was instantly smitten.

From the highway, I spotted these giant pumpkins on top of the hill and had to find out more. Wanna come along for a field trip?

Okay, let’s go! You can take a hay ride around the patch (which K snickered at because it was about 5 minutes long, but I enjoyed it with the enthusiasm of a 5-year-old), or you can stroll around on foot. We did both!

I had my eyes peeled the entire time for Cabbage Patch Kids, but only saw regular-sized kids (total bummer!). However, there was a corn maze, carnival-like rides and games, and food stalls to make up for the lack of CPKs.

I’m not a total city slicker, but I was surprised to see so many different varieties of pumpkins. I’d only really ever seen the traditional orange ones…

But there were white pumpkins and green pumpkins and even pumpkins that looked like heirloom tomatoes on steroids.

How cute is this chubby guy?

You can pick pumpkins from the patch or select from tables full of pumpkins. We picked up three from a table (okay, maybe I am a city slicker): a baby orange one, a large white one, and a squat greenish heirloom tomato-looking one. We promptly named our pumpkins Oranjina, Whitey, and Sally Tomato, respectively.

We were told that if you keep your pumpkins dry and don’t cut them (no Jack-o-Lanterns!), they can last for up to a year.  A year?! Did you know that? I had no idea. If you’re setting your pumpkins outside, it’s good to prop them up on hay so they will stay dry (our pumpkins are city slickers like us, so they hang out mostly indoors, unless I’m their nanny is taking them for a stroll in their baby carriage – kidding, well, so far…).

In addition to the adorable pumpkins, there were also fields of spectacular sunflowers. It felt very Under the Tuscan Sun, but with kiddie rides and funnel cake!

Apparently the sunflowers are grown to attract bees, bees which will also then help pollinate the pumpkins (scandalous!). Some of the sunflowers were as big as my face! They were amazing.

Also amazing: the sky.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what to wear to a pumpkin patch, I’d say comfort is key. While I wasn’t expecting to visit a pumpkin patch on this particular day, my daily uniform of an easy breezy dress and comfy flat sandals did the trick. I also happened to have my favorite accessory on me!