NEAR HAWARDEN, IA -- An early pumpkin harvest means the traditional symbol of Halloween... may not be around long enough to see the holiday!
But, pumpkin patches are still trying to make the most out of the season.
"There's thousands of them out there on a good year," says Diane Tennapel, owner of Diane's Pumpkin Patch near Hawarden, IA.
But that's not the case this year!
Diane's Pumpkin Patch near Hawarden, Iowa is having a bit of a pumpkin problem.
"We almost feel like we're a month ahead of schedule," says Tennapel
Heavy rains and too much humidity have created an early pumpkin harvest across Siouxland.
And trying to keep them from rotting in the field is now the challenge at Diane's Pumpkin Patch.
"We didn't get the size we like and now we're noticing this weekend as we had families out that they'll pick a pumpkin up and it's just spongy on the bottom. Its not actually rotten but its spongy and soft which will eventually rot," says Tennapel
But rotting pumpkins aren't stopping Diane's Pumpkin Patch from being open they say they've brought in a truckload of pumpkins and they're ready for the crowds.
"The fun of coming out to Diane's Pumpkin Patch is going and finding your own special pumpkin so I think we are going to have some fun ways that we'll do it, we'll plant some out in the field and have some around all over," says Tennapel.
Even if you have a tough time finding the right one Diane says you and your family can still stay in the Halloween spirit; with crafts, painting and other fun fall activities.
"There's not many places you can take a family anymore and feel free to just make yourself to home and go have a good time," says Tennapel.
Diane's Pumpkin Patch is open for the season. They are open Friday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday.
Diane says painting pumpkins, rather than carving them, will make them last longer.
We have more painting tips from Diane.
