SAYLORSBURG -- Pumpkin picking season officially begins in the Poconos this weekend and farmers at Klingel Farms in Saylorsburg are more than ready to get the season started.
“We always look forward to the opening weekend. It's never a big splash but we always like to open a bit earlier than most,” said Stuart Klingel, Klingel Farms owner.
Stuart Klingel owns the farm that is best known for its corn maze and the pumpkins aren't too shabby either. Pumpkins have been growing in almost every section of the 20-acre field.
But this year, Klingel says they might look a little different and the dry weather we had this summer is to blame.
“We were able to irrigate ours a few times. The size is down a little bit but the quality is very good,” said Klingel.
Farmers tell Newswatch 16 in order to grow big pumpkins, the weather needs to be just right. Warm temperatures and about an inch of rain per week would be ideal.
Growing larger pumpkins was difficult for many farmers but the little ones grew to be just perfect, and you're going to be able to buy them this weekend.
Over at Heckman Orchards in Effort, farmers also had a hard time growing really big pumpkins.
"Every year is different, and you try to do the best you can with what Mother Nature gives you. Some of the fields we could put a little irrigation on which helped, but others were just too far away from our water source,” said Mark Heckman, Heckman Orchards owner.
Both farmers say they aren't going to let slightly smaller pumpkins get in the way of their busiest season.
Each location will open pumpkin picking to the public this weekend.
