Fermanagh pumpkin patch: Hallowe'en fun on the farm

Jim and Esdille Lappin opened a half-acre pumpkin patch on their farm at Ashwoods, Enniskillen.

The popular couple have been hosting families from all across Fermanagh at the pumpkin patch at Lappin’s vegetable farm, that has been busy since it opened on October 9.

There are a wide range of vegetables around the patch, including squash and turnips, but the traditional orange pumpkins, as popularised by American celebrations of Hallowe’en, are currently the star attraction at the site.

All the vegetables available have been planted by Jim and his team. He has also included turnips which were planted on Cleenish Island as part of the attraction.

Jim said: “The pumpkin has really taken over in the past few years; it was an American thing, I think.

“When I was growing up we would have carved turnips [at Hallowe’en], but people have gone away from that.”

Jim explained how he was inspired to grow a pumpkin patch at his farm after watching a farming programme last year when a farmer from Comber planted a field of pumpkins.

He added: “It’s a bit of diversification from the usual business.”

Connell and Austin Roche with their pumpkin at Lappins Vegetable Farm.

‘Variety of sizes’

Jim had harvested pumpkins of a variety of sizes, he said: “They are all different sizes from 3kgs to 6kgs. The smallest ones, that are a different variety, weigh around 1kg.”

Once a time-slot has been prebooked, families and visitors are able to come along and enjoy their visit to the site, including Jim’s barn, which has been decorated around a farm and Hallowe’en theme.

The event has been an enjoyable one for Jim and Esdille, with both enjoying welcoming families to the vegetable farm, including those who have been before, and visitors who have not.

Preparing for the event was also an enjoyable endeavour, Jim revealed.

Explained his process for preparing the pumpkins, he said: “At the start, when they are planted, they are green and they have large leaves over them, but then you get [move] the leaves back, and the sun is able to ripen the pumpkins to make them orange.”

Aoife Swanepoel with her pumpkin.

All the families who visit the pumpkin patch are transported via a tractor along the farm trail around the farm, which includes a stop at the pumpkin patch.

The pumpkin patch will be in full swing from now until Hallowe’en, between 10am and 6pm every day.

To book a time slot to visit the pumpkin patch and enjoy the attractions, contact 0753 0766 945.

A percentage of profits will be donated to Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary for food for the animals.

Enjoying the Pumpkin Day at Lappins Vegetable Farm are from left, Kyle Livingstone, Alan Burleigh and Melissa Bereseford. Seated are Ellie and Evie Burleigh.