Get to know town of Texas, which turned the pumpkin capital of the US

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In 1541, the Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado led an expedition through Texas and spent the winter in the High Plains region near the present-day city of Floydada, about 50 miles northeast of Lubbock. Legend has it that Coronado and his crew, who almost starved to death, sought food from the local tribes, who fed the men with what is now a celebrated staple in these areas: the pumpkin.

This is the first mention of the famous winter squash in Floydada, now known as the pumpkin capital of the United States and revered for a dry, cool climate perfect for growing the fall specialty.

In its prime between the 1960s and 1980s, pumpkin farming produced millions of pumpkins on over 30 farms in the region. There are currently only about four farmers who plant pumpkin varieties on 1,000 hectares each year. Despite the decline in numbers, these farmers still produce around 2 million pumpkins a year.

“I think pumpkin growing is like car racing, rodeo, basketball or yoga,” says Tim Assiter, whose family has been growing pumpkins here since the 1960s. “It’s in your blood.”

The Assister Punkin Ranch story begins with the wife of a close family friend and farmer named “Uncle Slim” Robertson. She convinced her husband to plant 5 acres of pumpkins for a year, and the couple began selling the crop at street stalls. They were so successful that they eventually expanded to the greengrocers in Dallas and then to grocery stores in the east, where it’s too humid to grow pumpkins.

Robertson, who is considered the founder of pumpkin cultivation in Floydada, taught Assiter’s father everything he knew about the pumpkin. Today, about 150 different varieties of fall items are grown on the Assiter’s family-run farm, including the famous orange jack-o-lanterns, which are collected each year, and rarer red, blue and pink pumpkins.

No pumpkin looks alike, says Assiter. The largest they raised grew to 300 pounds. As for the name of the farm, Assiter explains that it is a twist of the word pumpkin as well as a term used for farmers. “If you talked to your husband, you’d call him a punkin,” he says.

Farmers in Floydada start planting pumpkin seeds in mid-May and harvest them around 120 days later in September. They cut the gourds from vines, which are sometimes 30 feet long when their skins are tough enough to be tossed on mail trucks, and they reach their ripe color.

“Each pumpkin is handled six to seven times before it’s put on a truck to go to a grocery store,” Assiter says. “It takes a tremendous amount of work.”

This year has been difficult for many reasons. The farm relies on workers from South Texas who were hit by hurricanes, which resulted in many workers finding work through construction jobs. Add to this a number of 100 degree days and less than normal rainfall, on top of a pandemic, and it was challenging to say the least. Pumpkins need a ton of water and are not particularly hot, according to the Assiter.

“We use our water and our resources efficiently, so we’re very happy,” he says. “We have 70 years of experience and of course this experience pays off very well. We have the right farmers with the right attitude. “

Assiter notes, however, that by far the strangest thing about 2020 was the huge demand for pumpkins. As people stay home and spend more time with family, they’ll focus more on time-honored traditions, like jack-o’-lantern carving for Halloween, he believes.

“The demand to deliver them and make them available to the public was just enormous,” he says. “It was twice as much as usual.”

The Assiter Punkin Ranch, like most pumpkin patches, is open to visitors this year again despite the pandemic. It’s the perfect way to spend time outdoors and social distancing, says Assiter. And he’s glad that people are still coming out because seeing the smiles on kids’ faces is the best part of growing pumpkins.

“The smile these pumpkins bring is a very important part,” he says.

Here are some of the best pumpkin beds in the Lone Star State, some that grow their own pumpkins on site and others that they have brought in from places like Floydada.

Assiter Punkin Ranch Visit the ranch to see varieties of pumpkins in all shapes and colors, tour the farm, and learn how the crops are grown. Enjoy other fun fall activities like a ride on a pumpkin-shaped train and a visit to the petting zoo.

Barton Hill Farms Located just outside Austin, you can choose your favorite jack-o-lantern from a huge pumpkin patch, get lost in a 3.5 mile corn maze, and relax in a semi-private cabana that you can rent. The Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch are held every weekend through November 15 and include barbecues and live music every day.

Sweet Berry Farm Located on 60 acres near Marble Falls, Sweet Berry Farm features thousands of pumpkins as far as the eye can see, a huge Texan corn maze and miles of wildflowers. The fall fun harvest runs through November 8th, when you can take a ride or even cram your own scarecrow.

Autumn in the Arboretum Are you looking for an autumn wonderland with everything made from pumpkins? This festival features four 20 foot tall, decorated pumpkin houses and creative displays made from more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and gourd. Lose yourself in a hay bale maze or visit the 3.5 hectare garden with groceries, herbs and vegetables. Enjoy live music on the weekend through November 1st.

Dewberry Farm Located just outside of Houston, Dewberry Farm has more than 50 attractions, including 8 acres of cornfield maze, loads of pumpkins and adorable farm animals. Ride a carousel, swoosh slides, shoot paintball guns, and indulge in grilled dishes, pizzas, and other goodies. Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October and on selected weekends in November.

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