October 12-31, 2024
We will need volunteers to help off loaded our pumpkins Saturday, October 12. We need workers each day to staff the Patch. Please sign up for a shift in the main hallway or call the church office, 407.352.8664, and leave a message if you would like to serve a shift in the Patch. We would be delighted to schedule you.
Our Pumpkin Patch opens Saturday October 12, once all pumpkins are off loaded, and runs through October 31.
Hours of Operation:
Sunday ~ Thursday~ 1:00-7:30pm
Friday & Saturday ~ 1:00-8:30pm
Trunk or Treat is Wednesday October 31, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Admission is free. Bring your camera and use all of our photo ops for great family memories. The cost depends on the size of your pumpkin. Prices for minis is$.75 and pumpkins go all the way up to the extra large at $40. Pets welcome. See you there!
Proceeds go to youth camp and mission work.
Preserving your carved pumpkin
While everyone wants their jack ‘o’ lantern to add a spooky touch their Halloween display, no one’s a fan of the rot and creepy crawlies they often bring with them. Keep your pumpkin in mint condition for two weeks or longer by adding these simple steps to your carving routine.
Choose the perfect pumpkin: Start your search for a prize-worthy pumpkin by heading out to our pumpkin patch. Our pumpkins will always be fresher than ones loaded onto a truck and imported from elsewhere. Before making your pick, inspect the squash for blemishes and indents that could invite rot, mold, or fruit flies. Pick a firm pumpkin with even coloring. Once you get it home follow these simple directions and the pumpkin will last longer.
1.Soak the pumpkin in a bleach solution. Mix one tsp (5ml) of bleach to one gallon water. Let the pumpkin soak in this solution for at least 1 hour.
The water is intended to hydrate the pumpkin flesh and prevent if from drying out to quickly. The bleach is an antimicrobial agent that will kill most of the surface bacteria and mold spores on the pumpkin.
You can soak the pumpkin up to 8 hours but soaking it too long can actually infuse the flesh with too much moisture, making it more prone to rot.
2.Wipe the pumpkin dry. Use a clean rag or paper towels to remove most of the moisture puddled inside that pumpkin.
Leaving too much moisture puddled inside can actually cause the pumpkin to rot.
3. Spray with additional bleach. Combine 1Tbsp bleach with one quart of water in a spray bottle. Douse the exposed flesh with the stronger bleach solution.
Th bleach used in the soaking solution was a small amount to stop the growth of surface bacteria. Using too much bleach in the soaking solution can weaken the pumpkin. By spraying the pumpkin with a stronger bleach solution after soaking it, you can sanitize it further without weakening the structure of the pumpkin.
4. Continue drying the pumpkin upside down. Prevent puddles of moisture from sitting inside the pumpkin by inverting it onto a clean, dry rag and letting it dry completely Give the pumpkin at least 20 minutes to dry. You could let it sit up to 1 hour if desired, though.
5. Coat the cut areas with petroleum jelly. Rub all the exposed flesh with a fine coating of petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly will lock in moisture, preventing the pumpkin from dehydrating as quickly it might otherwise. It will also block out new bacteria and mold. Do not use petroleum jelly b
Without first using the bleach. The bleach is needed in order to kill bacteria and mold already on the pumpkin. If you skip this step and go straight to petroleum jelly you will be sealing in the bacteria and mold.
Want to preserve an uncarved pumpkin? Try shining it with floor wax to keep it looking fresh.
But a word to the wise: If you plan to eat your pumpkin after carving, skip the bleach and use a natural lubricant — like veggie oil or olive oil — instead. Carve the pumpkin close to Halloween so that it won't sit out for too long. And carve away any spots that look moldy before you add it to your recipes.
Display for all to enjoy
Pumpkin looking wrinkly, put it in sink with just water to rehydrate it.
HOPE you enjoyed the patch
ENJOY your pumpkins!!!!!!!!!
Fancy carving? send us a photo to [email protected]
While everyone wants their jack ‘o’ lantern to add a spooky touch their Halloween display, no one’s a fan of the rot and creepy crawlies they often bring with them. Keep your pumpkin in mint condition for two weeks or longer by adding these simple steps to your carving routine.
Choose the perfect pumpkin: Start your search for a prize-worthy pumpkin by heading out to our pumpkin patch. Our pumpkins will always be fresher than ones loaded onto a truck and imported from elsewhere. Before making your pick, inspect the squash for blemishes and indents that could invite rot, mold, or fruit flies. Pick a firm pumpkin with even coloring. Once you get it home follow these simple directions and the pumpkin will last longer.
1.Soak the pumpkin in a bleach solution. Mix one tsp (5ml) of bleach to one gallon water. Let the pumpkin soak in this solution for at least 1 hour.
The water is intended to hydrate the pumpkin flesh and prevent if from drying out to quickly. The bleach is an antimicrobial agent that will kill most of the surface bacteria and mold spores on the pumpkin.
You can soak the pumpkin up to 8 hours but soaking it too long can actually infuse the flesh with too much moisture, making it more prone to rot.
2.Wipe the pumpkin dry. Use a clean rag or paper towels to remove most of the moisture puddled inside that pumpkin.
Leaving too much moisture puddled inside can actually cause the pumpkin to rot.
3. Spray with additional bleach. Combine 1Tbsp bleach with one quart of water in a spray bottle. Douse the exposed flesh with the stronger bleach solution.
Th bleach used in the soaking solution was a small amount to stop the growth of surface bacteria. Using too much bleach in the soaking solution can weaken the pumpkin. By spraying the pumpkin with a stronger bleach solution after soaking it, you can sanitize it further without weakening the structure of the pumpkin.
4. Continue drying the pumpkin upside down. Prevent puddles of moisture from sitting inside the pumpkin by inverting it onto a clean, dry rag and letting it dry completely Give the pumpkin at least 20 minutes to dry. You could let it sit up to 1 hour if desired, though.
5. Coat the cut areas with petroleum jelly. Rub all the exposed flesh with a fine coating of petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly will lock in moisture, preventing the pumpkin from dehydrating as quickly it might otherwise. It will also block out new bacteria and mold. Do not use petroleum jelly b
Without first using the bleach. The bleach is needed in order to kill bacteria and mold already on the pumpkin. If you skip this step and go straight to petroleum jelly you will be sealing in the bacteria and mold.
Want to preserve an uncarved pumpkin? Try shining it with floor wax to keep it looking fresh.
But a word to the wise: If you plan to eat your pumpkin after carving, skip the bleach and use a natural lubricant — like veggie oil or olive oil — instead. Carve the pumpkin close to Halloween so that it won't sit out for too long. And carve away any spots that look moldy before you add it to your recipes.
Display for all to enjoy
Pumpkin looking wrinkly, put it in sink with just water to rehydrate it.
HOPE you enjoyed the patch
ENJOY your pumpkins!!!!!!!!!
Fancy carving? send us a photo to [email protected]