Small Seasonal Pumpkin Patch
Grow a few acres of pumpkins and let local families pick their own each October.
- $3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
What it is
A small pick-your-own pumpkin field on a few acres of owned or leased land, open on weekends through the autumn. You plant in early summer, tend the crop, then open the gate in fall with simple parking, wagons and a pay table.
Your first three steps
- Find 1 to 5 acres of suitable land close to a town and ask your county extension office about growing pumpkins in your area
- Plan your planting dates backward from mid-October and order seed and basic tools
- Check zoning and insurance rules, then set up a simple Facebook page and roadside signs to start building local interest
Who pays
Local families, school and daycare groups, and people wanting pumpkins for carving, decorating and photos.
How it makes money
Pumpkins priced by size or by piece, plus small extras such as gourds, corn stalks and hay bale seating. Most income comes in a few weeks around Halloween.
Skills that help
- Basic crop growing or willingness to learn
- Organizing weekend crowds and parking
- Friendly customer service
- Physical outdoor work
Watch out for
- General liability insurance that covers visitors on a farm; ask an agent about agritourism cover
- Zoning, county permits and any state agritourism rules; check with your county
- Weather, pests and disease can wipe out a crop, so you may earn nothing in a bad year
- If you sell by weight, check whether your state requires certified scales
- Parking, traffic on the road and accessibility for visitors
- Sales tax registration with your state, if it applies to your sales
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a pumpkin patch?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your acreage, seed and equipment, and how much you spend on parking, wagons and a pay table. These are estimates, so price your own setup carefully.
How much can a small pumpkin patch earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000 during the season, depending on crop size, visitor numbers and pricing. Weather, pests and disease can wipe out a crop, so you may earn nothing in a bad year.
What rules should I check before opening a u-pick pumpkin patch?
Check that your liability insurance covers farm visitors, and ask an agent about agritourism cover. Also check zoning, county permits, state agritourism rules, certified scales if you sell by weight, parking and traffic, accessibility, and sales tax registration.
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Photo: ELG21 on Pixabay