‘I think everyone’s excited:’ Local farm markets prepping for pumpkin season
SALISBURY, Md. “I married a farmer, became a farmer, and it’s like in my blood now,” Adkins said.
Gaylon and Tammy Adkins are heading into their 18th fall at their family farm in Salisbury. They told 47ABC they’re already anticipating lots of hustle and bustle for the season’s staple. “Sometimes people will just pick a couple of pumpkins for their porch but they’re doing whole displays this year. I think everyone’s excited because of those few cool days we had and that kind of gave them the bug to decorate for the fall,” Adkins Farm Market Owner Tammy Adkins said.
Mr. Adkins said they’re now starting their picking process and will have a variety of pumpkins for customers to choose from. He added that the thing they can’t control is weather. “The rain is what causes them to go bad. We also have to spray them of course every week for diseases,” Adkins Farm Market Gaylon Adkins said.
While you’re on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin this season, the Adkins told us you can anticipate digging a little bit deeper in your pockets to find it. That slight price hike is due to things like supplies that are still on the rise. “Well, it’s all of it. Fertilizer, chemicals, and labor with getting them out of the field. Labor is probably the biggest one,” Adkins said. “So, the prices are going to be close to where they were last year. They’re still considerably higher than they were 4-5 years ago.”
Pumpkins might be what get you to the farm, but there’s also a variety of other family activities that could make you stay. “People look forward to the corn amaze and we have a sign to take pics that says ‘how tall are you this fall’ for memories. Some people have family reunions out here and birthdays, so families really look forward to coming here each year,” Adkins said.
The Adkins told 47ABC they plan to have enough inventory for the season, but there’s the potential that they’ll have to buy from surrounding areas like Delaware and even Pennsylvania to keep up with demand.
Their corn maze and play area open to the public this Saturday, September 16th.
