A Darlington farmer’s last-minute gamble helped save one of the region’s most popular pumpkin patches after drought threatened this year’s crop.
Baydale Farm, near Darlington, has reopened its expanding pumpkin patch after owner Simon Walton planted a different pumpkin variety following last year’s poor growing conditions.
The gamble has paid off, with around 100,000 pumpkins expected across the farm’s 10-acre patch this autumn.
Mr Walton said drought was a major concern when he planned this year’s crop.
Owner Simon Walton. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
"We got impacted quite badly with the drought last year," he said.
"At the time when I was choosing the seeds for this year, we chose a bigger variety of seeds in case there was another drought and the pumpkins didn't grow as big.
"We chose a bigger variety of pumpkin seed which grew bigger, but they're more expensive to buy and you have to space them further apart.
"As it happened, there was a drought this year, so it seems to have worked quite well really."
The pumpkins have held up, but other parts of the farm have suffered in the dry weather.
"Every year is different," Simon said.
"The drought has meant that our grass hasn't grown nearly as well.
The crops did not produce as much as usual.
"We have been impacted, but we've diversified into a sunflower and wildflower patch that we've had for the last two years.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
"Because it's been really nice over summer, people have really enjoyed coming to that, so it's not all bad because we've got things that work well with the drought conditions."
The pumpkin patch has become one of Baydale Farm’s biggest attractions since it launched six years ago and is still growing in popularity.
Simon said: "We've been growing pumpkins for six years now and every year it seems to be growing in popularity."
"We're increasing the size of the pumpkin patch to meet demand.
"We started on four acres of pumpkins and now we're growing on 10 acres.
"That's gone from planting 16,000 seeds in the first year to 35,000 this year.
"There's probably around 100,000 pumpkins this year because each plant grows two to three pumpkins."
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The farm is also offering evening pumpkin-picking sessions this year.
"It's not just picking a pumpkin, it's more of an experience," Simon said.
"We're holding After Dark Pumpkin Picking, with a singer, lights and photo opportunities from 6pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
"That seems to be really popular as well."
Pumpkin picking at the farm is available until October 31 on selected Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with additional dates during the October half-term.
Daytime entry is free, with visitors simply paying for the pumpkins they choose.
Prices start at £2, with larger pumpkins costing more.
The farm offers a variety of pumpkins and squashes, suitable for carving, cooking, or autumn decorations.
The patch is part of a working farm, so visitors should wear wellies or boots, especially in wet weather.
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If heavy rain makes the patch muddy, visitors can browse and buy pumpkins in Baydale Farm’s indoor store.
The farm's Pumpkins & Pizza evenings include homemade stone-baked pizzas, fire pits, marshmallows, live music and a licensed bar.
The site also has toilets, while the route from the car park is flat, although access to the field can depend on weather conditions.