fun-seekers, families and schoolchildren visit R.A.M. Farms to take part in activities such as pumpkin bowling and an 18-acre corn maze, and a lso to choose their favorite pumpkin. “I like the warty pumpkin because it feels bumpy,” kindergartner Jade Caetano explained, while twin sister Ashton said she preferred the large, white pumpkin known as Snowball: “I’d take it home and paint it turquoise.” Meanwhile, Christian Andre, who is generally wild about dinosaurs, said, “I like the Cinderella pumpkin. It is the right size to make a Saurophaganax (dinosaur) head.” Emma Komos was more practical about her top choice: a small, orange pumpkin variety known as Field Trip. “I like the stem to be a handle to carry it around,” she said, adding she would like to decorate it with paint and stickers. Their teacher, Lynette Rocha, brings her students each year and said, “R.A.M. Farms is a wonderful place to learn about farming pumpkins. As part of our science standards, we teach the students the life cycle of the pumpkin plant, and Karen is very good at identifying the many varieties of pumpkins.” The A, Bee, Cs of pumpkin farming KarenMacedo explained to Rocha’s class that pumpkins need water, sunlight, soil and bees: “As the bee pollinates, a little f lower will start to grow and as the f lower starts to grow, the pumpkin will then grow.” To ensure the pumpkins are ready by fall, R.A.M. Farms begins planting in mid-June. For pumpkins used for carving, the farm plants seeds directly in the field. For specialty pumpkins, seeds are started in six-pack containers and then transplanted into the field. Ron Macedo, who also grows almonds, oats, silage corn and alfalfa, had grown pumpkins for many years before launching the pumpkin patch business in the early 2000s. That’s when he put his last few pumpkins on the side of the road to sell directly to customers.
“People started buying them and we thought, ‘We’ve got something here,’” he said. “That’s how it all started and, over time, it has evolved into a destination.” Since then, the school tours have become a favorite part of the business. “I enjoy providing the opportunity for schoolchildren to come here each year,” he said. “They ask a lot of questions and end up having an appreciation for what we do in farming, plus moms and dads are just as curious.” Pumpkins with a purpose The Macedos are often asked the differences in pumpkin varieties. The Field Trip, for example, is a good pumpkin for carving, eating and decorating, Karen Macedo said. Other traditional carving varieties include Magic Wand and Gold Medal. A favorite for pie is Cinnamon Girl, and
º Pumpkins, squash, gourds and melons are part of the Cucurbitaceae family. They can be bred with one another, resulting in different varieties that vary in shape, color and texture. º Pumpkins are a common feature for the fall holidays of Sukkot, Halloween and Thanksgiving, when people use them for decorating, cooking and carving. º Miniature pumpkins weigh less than 1 pound and are used for decorative
Planning a trip to a pumpkin patch this season? Be sure to call ahead to confirm whether your favorite spot is open, and under what rules. Here are some pumpkin facts to help you make the most of your visit. º Pumpkins are a type of squash, indigenous to North America and cultivated since at least 7,500 BCE. º Gourds are grown for their hard, outer rind, whereas pumpkins are harvested for their outer shell and edible flesh.
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