The Pumpkin Patch Mum
Join Emily on her journey through life at Foxes Farm Produce as a mum balancing life with family commitments alongside running her family pumpkin business.
Based in Colchester, Essex the family farm run by husband and wife team Guy and Emily French grow and produce wholesale pumpkins for delivery across the UK, as well as operating two pick your own pumpkin patches in Colchester and Basildon.
Get an insight behind the scenes of one of the busiest and dynamic pumpkin farms in the UK.
The Pumpkin Patch Mum
The Pumpkin Patch is open!
In this heartwarming episode of "The Pumpkin Patch," Katie reflects on her journey since joining Foxes Farm Produce in January. As she experiences her first pumpkin season, she shares fascinating insights about the pumpkin growing and harvesting process.
From the surprising early harvest in August to the bustling preparations for the busy October season, Katie and Emily discuss the logistics of wholesale pumpkin sales and the importance of being ready for the festivities. They reminisce about the fun moments spent decorating the pumpkin patch and preparing for visitors.
The episode also features a special guest from a pumpkin patch customer, who shares her excitement about the corn maze and her favourite pumpkins. Tune in for delightful anecdotes and a peek into the vibrant life at the pumpkin patch as they gear up for Halloween!
www.foxesfarmproduce.co.uk
Hello and welcome to the pumpkin patch. Mum, this is a heartwarming and down to Earth podcast where we dive into the vibrant, busy and sometimes messy life of me and mum who also happens to be a passionate pumpkin farmer. Hi, Katie. So you joined the team at Foxes Farm Produce back in January. Now which? Although it feels like you've been here forever, obviously this means it's your first pumpkin season, so I just thought I'd get some some insights and and maybe some, you know, fun facts that you've learned whilst working on pumpkins so far this year. And it's been really interesting to watch the whole process of pumpkins growing, you know, right from them being drawn to the ground and to harvest it at the end, something that really surprised me. It was how early they harvested, we started harvest back in August and here we are in October and ready to open for their pumpkin season. So I do think that does amaze people, actually. So when. And I always say to people and we're harvesting people assume because we're a farm that we are doing a cereal harvest and then when I say ohh no, it's actually pumpkin harvest. Their first question is well, why are you harvesting in August? We don't need a pumpkin till October. I think what people forget is and you've seen this year that actually because we're wholesalers and we're selling them to other events or other theme parks or you know other pumpkin patches, they need them for the 1st of October. So I would actually say that by now you know middle of October, the barns are less than 50% full, wouldn't you agree? I definitely agree. It's really surprising how actually the the wholesale work has gone really quiet already. When Halloween. Yeah, you're right. It does. The September I always say is my busiest month you. Got things as a pumpkin patch mom. Like back to school and starting the routine and back to reading every night and school drop offs and what have you. We're still doing pumpkin harvest normally in September and we're obviously selling all the pumpkins for wholesale and we're getting the the sights ready for the pick your own. So September is a super but Duper busy month and then like you say. Through October. The the wholesale kind of does get a bit easier that we just have to work out deliveries and logistics and once we've opened up the pumpkin patches for one weekend, then you kind of feel like you want a bit of a role and. You've got most things in place or should do. So what's been the the funniest thing you've done so far this year? The pumpkins. I know it's not quite Halloween yet, so we'll probably do something. One bit. I think we're most enjoyable was our final setup day for the path. Yeah, and decorating everything with the pumpkins and having our pumpkin soup. That's for long. Yeah. Really fun day. Actually. That was a really good day. And the team really pulled together. And the decor does look amazing. So if you, if you come and visit, then all the decor was done by, yeah, Katie, myself and the team. And it was really. Yeah, really good. It was a good fun. Question. So what are you looking forward to coming up? Obviously we still got half the month remaining. I am excited the pumpkin patch tonight. So excited to see what the team will dress up as and then to get my outfit together. Perfect. Well, thanks very much. Katie and I'll. Catch up with you. Maybe post Halloween and see what you think of the rest of the season. The girls, what do you think? Of the pumpkin patch this. Year I. Mother, are you pretty? And what's your favourite bit so far? The corn maze so far 100%. But also I'm really loving like all the daisies like. It looks pretty, doesn't it? And what pumpkins are looking for this year? Classic ones, ones you can carve. You're carving, not cooking, not cooking. And have you been to pumpkin patch before? Yeah, I came a couple years ago. This is your first? Yeah, I know that. And are you gonna be recommending your friends to come? Ohh. Absolutely would be perfect. Thank.
You no problem.