Pumpkin Farming Profitability
Pumpkins are ripe when colored, with hard rind and woody stem. Carefully cut off the stem with a knife, leaving inches of stem on the pumpkin. Pumpkins take 90-120 days to mature after planting seeds. The average small pumpkin farm makes about $30,000 per year. Profit varies as farms are different sizes. Farmers growing pumpkins make over $20,000 per acre.
- Pumpkins are planted in rows with 30-40 inches between plants and 8-12 feet between rows.
- There are 1,600 to 2,800 pumpkins plants per acre.
- A good yield is 1,000 pumpkins per acre.
Diversifying Pumpkin Patch Profits
Patches offer more than pumpkins, like mazes and rides. Adding activities increases profits. Start with one or two activities before expanding. Sell pumpkins in bulk. Buyers take pumpkins to stores. Consider value-added products. Cider and pies bring more income. Remember real costs of activities. Balance added sales and costs.
Setting Pumpkin Prices
At 7 cents a pound for a 20-pound pumpkin, the income is $1,400. Labor reduces this by 50 to 60 percent.