It’s pumpkin pickin’ time at Clackmae

By Kevin Janiak
Published 14th Oct 2022, 10:06 BST
Updated 14th Oct 2022, 10:07 BST
Sally with one of her prize pumpkinsSally with one of her prize pumpkins
Sally with one of her prize pumpkins
Halloween is a special time of year at Clackmae Farm, near Earlston … a celebration of the end of the growing season, and a chance to share their beautiful pumpkins, all grown by hand from seeds since April.

And today, (Friday, October 14) marks the first day of public pumpkin picking.

This year, more than 50 different varieties of pumpkin have been grown on the patch.

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As well as the traditional orange Jack-o-Lanterns for carving, there are everything from tiny munchlings, up to massive giant pumpkins, with white, yellow, pink and green varieties as well as ornamental and specialist culinary varieties.

The pumpkin patch is looking especially spooky this year!The pumpkin patch is looking especially spooky this year!
The pumpkin patch is looking especially spooky this year!

The pumpkin operation is led by Sally Williams and her mum, Ruth Wilson, whose family have farmed at Clackmae for over six generations.

Sally told us: “As a family we love welcoming all the families and visitors to the pumpkin patch on our farm and the great feedback we have received over the last two years has spurred us on to make the 2022 experience the best yet.

“This year, alongside our carving workshops, we have a spooky trail with creepy tunnel, a giant spiders web for our pumpkinners to follow around the patch, activities for younger kids and a giant straw bale pyramid amongst other displays and photo opportunities.

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"For the bravest pumpkin pickers we even have added a torchlight picking session on Friday, October 28. Entry to the patch is again by ticket only, to maximise enjoyment of the patch without overcrowding and allowing the day to day farm work to be carried out.”

There's a wide variety of pumpkins available.There's a wide variety of pumpkins available.
There's a wide variety of pumpkins available.

Ruth, who heads up the carving workshops inside the barn, said: “Once again we have the excellent Sarah L. Ferguson providing family photography shoots and a new collaboration this year sees us welcome Elaine Paterson of Debutots to the patch, offering Halloween themed interactive story telling and drama sessions for children from 6 months to 7 years.”

Tickets can be bought by clicking here.

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