Once we turn our calendars to September, with temperatures moderating a bit, we think of fall, despite the fact that autumn doesn’t truly start until Sept. 23. Homemakers are already thinking of decorating with Delaware-grown products including pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, cornstalks, hay bales and chrysanthemums. Gardeners also are eyeing pansies, violas and ornamental cabbage and kale. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there are 48 farms in Delaware producing bedding and garden plants. In addition, there are plenty of retail garden centers where you can purchase ornamentals for fall planting.
Cooler temperatures also draw more people outdoors, and in this area there are plenty of things to do. Apple harvesting has begun and you may find a couple of you-pick orchards. Delaware Department of Agriculture has 33 operations on its agritourism list. You don’t have to look too hard to find a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, corn maze or hayride.
Ramsey’s Farm in north Wilmington, for example, has pumpkins, a hayride, a corn maze, a fire for cooking s’mores and, coming soon, a platform built around a combine with five slides for the kids.
Loblolly Farm in Woodside will soon announce details of its Autumn Jubilee and Fairy Tale Trail on its website, loblollyacres.com. Meanwhile, there’s outdoor family fun every weekend.
T.S. Smith in Bridgeville is gearing up to participate in the annual Apple Scrapple festival Oct. 11 and 12. Visit applescrapple.com for details.
Delaware Farm Bureau members who have special fall attractions on their farm are invited to let us know so we can help with promotion. Contact Heather Kline at heather.kline@defb.org, call (302) 697-3183 or submit online at https://defb.org/calendar/
