Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the farm
No, we are not the Plumper family or even the Plumber family. We are the Kessingers.
We named the farm for bigger, better, plumper pumpkins, not based on our family name.
Plumper Pumpkin Patch is owned and operated by Jim and Peggy Kessinger.
Yes and please help us keep it that way by considering and observing the following:
- Know your dog’s temperament. They must be good with people, in crowds and good with other dogs and our farm animals. (Typically dogs are not allowed on hayrides)
- Keep dogs on a short leash, by your side at all times (no extended leashes). Please remember not all people like dogs.
- Pick up after them as needed (we do supply poop bags or better yet bring your own).
- Have fun!
Yes, we have five adult children. Two currently work on the farm (as a second job) and live in the area. A third lives in the Portland Metro area, another is attending school in Phoenix, Arizona and the last one lives and works in Austin Texas. They all came together to celebrate Tacy’s wedding, held on the farm!
No, we are not. We open for our Pumpkin and Sunflower Season in September until Halloween, and we open for our Christmas Tree Season the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and stay open through Dec. 15 (most years the Sunday before Christmas).
However during our off seasons, we still sell our farm fresh meat and some produce. As this is a farm year round, there is usually someone up here working. To pick up or purchase meat or produce during our off season we highly recommend calling or emailing us before heading up to the farm.
No. Pony rides and face painting are not included in admission. These activities, along with our hayrides, pumpkin cannons, and apple cannons require tokens. Please see our Pricing page for more details.
We happily accept all three of those options, however for card payments we do have a $1 minimum purchase. We also have an ATM on the premises.
Our white and orange cat’s name is Handsome, and he sure does hold true to his name! We rescued Handsome a few years back and he has been growing plumper up here on our farm ever since.
We’ve lived here since 1993 and we’ve had the Pumpkin Patch open since 1998.
In other words, since Jim looked like this:
I can’t believe we grew pumpkins in our front yard the first year!
We own approximately 65 acres. The house is in the center of the property and the land extends up past the second oak tree to the north and into the large forested area to the west.
Well, yes the seeds are inexpensive, but the cost of fertilizer, irrigation and labor for cultivation adds up quickly. Also, there are additional expenses required for allowing the public to come onto our property like insurance, etc. Stores often sell seasonal items like pumpkins at below cost to draw people into their stores for other items.
Predicting how many pumpkins we will sell is like predicting the weather! Our goal is to have no pumpkins left over but when we have extra we will feed them to our animals. The pigs especially like them!