Moderate Fall Temps Making For Perfect Pumpkin Crop
GLENCOE, Minn. (WCCO) -- It's hard for some of us to believe. This is late October in Minnesota, but the moderate temperatures aren't the only thing making this fall season extra special.
It is a perfect year for pumpkin picking and pumpkin growing. A Glencoe farm run by the Doehling family yielded twice as many pumpkins as they did last year. They've picked a crop of around 15,000 pumpkins.
Karen Doehling is the matriarch of the pumpkin business.
"It's just fun, the kids are so thrilled and excited and that makes me excited too," she said.
And that's not all this four decade farmer is excited about.
"It will officially be the best year ever we've had for pumpkins." Doehling said.
About 45 minutes west of her roadside stand is the field where Karen Doehling's family grows all the gourds, squash and pumpkins that they sell at Countryside Market. She credits the summer weather and steady rain for her best crop ever.
"We just never had a crop as beautiful as this crop, not only in size but in quality and shapes," Doehling said.
There are three tractor trailers full of pumpkins, double last year's crop.
"It just makes me feel good all over, just makes you want to smile every day when you look at the wonderful crop, it's just fun," Doehling said.
Oh and all these gourds and squash, they had a peak year too. And they've had record sales this year. They also credit the mild weather for that as people are lingering in the comfortable temperatures as they hop. The market closes on Saturday.