Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

"Pumpkin picking" WTF

388 replies

HauntedGusset · 29/10/2023 17:21

Driving home from a visit to family today there was an absolutely massive traffic jam caused by cars entering/leaving a farm shop that also has a small events centre attached. I last passed the farm shop a few weeks ago and they had some other event on with cars parked all over the field nearest the road. Anyway today the same field was covered in huge pumpkins with families trudging round in the mud "picking" them - but they didn't grow there, they can't have done as the same field was a car park last month Confused They've just been plonked there. Someone tell me why this is a thing?

(And no, I don't have small DC anymore so I suppose I've missed this becoming popular, I was vaguely aware people pick pumpkins but imagined it to be like picking strawberries where you actually pick them fresh from the plant, not like a crapper muddier version of just buying one from Lidl!)

OP posts:
00100001 · 29/10/2023 17:32

I presume it's the same thing that draws people to pay to go to lavender fields in the summer?

batsandeggs · 29/10/2023 17:32

It’s designed for kids who tend to love running about in mud and choosing something special to bring home for Halloween. Not sure what’s so offensive about it.

Beezknees · 29/10/2023 17:31

Meh, it's a fun day out for kids. My DS is far too old for that kind of thing now but I love seeing all the photos from friends and relatives with younger children.

Wellhellooooodear · 29/10/2023 17:31

I couldn't be arsed this year, got mine from Aldi!

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 17:31

Melodysmum12 · 29/10/2023 17:29

Because my 5 year old enjoyed choosing a pumpkin in the mud with his wellies having photos taken on bales of hay, pushing a wheelbarrow.. having a hot chocolate. Yes all in all it cost us £10 but he had fun so I didn’t see the issue!!

Fair enough! Maybe this is the target. Gets the kids in the countryside and mud so that can only be good

fluffypotatoes · 29/10/2023 17:30

Yeah I'm disappointed it isn't actually go and get one straight off the plant. I picked one from sainsburys instead.

Melodysmum12 · 29/10/2023 17:29

Because my 5 year old enjoyed choosing a pumpkin in the mud with his wellies having photos taken on bales of hay, pushing a wheelbarrow.. having a hot chocolate. Yes all in all it cost us £10 but he had fun so I didn’t see the issue!!

RudsyFarmer · 29/10/2023 17:29

I pumpkin picked at Lidl this year having seen the prices locally of an organised event which would have set me back in the region of £50.

TheKeatingFive · 29/10/2023 17:28

We went to one last year and it was lovely, if a bit over priced. There are lots of worse things people could be doing with their time and money. 🤷‍♀️

CandyLeBonBon · 29/10/2023 17:27

It's no different to picking out a freshly cut Christmas tree from the garden centre.

It's a but of a fun family activity and is not, believe it or not, compulsory!

Traffic is shit everywhere. Life is a bit grim and miserable atm so I can't begrudge a bit of wholesome family fun like this!

Original poster
HauntedGusset · 29/10/2023 17:27

Nobody was getting nice pictures today, against the delighful backdrop of mud, a crowd of muddy people, and a snarled up dual carriageway 🤣

I suppose I'm not the "target market" so it doesn't matter if I can't see the attraction!

OP posts:
WiIIow · 29/10/2023 17:27

What's wrong with it? Bit of fun for the kids. I wish it was a thing when mine were little they'd have loved picking their own in their wellies.

FelicityBeedle · 29/10/2023 17:23

Yeah I think it’s daft, there’s a few photogenic spots and then you pay 5x the price it would normally cost. But people enjoy it and get nice pictures so I’m trying to be less of a grump about them.