A care farm located just outside Amsterdam in Zwanenburg is dealing with an unexpectedly early pumpkin harvest this year.
The decorative gourds at De Beemgaard have ripened much earlier than usual, leaving organizers with mature crops before seasonal demand has picked up.
Lack of early customer demand
Owner Leonore van Beem recently put out a small batch of decorative pumpkins to test local interest, but buyers are not yet in an autumn mindset.
She reported selling only one or two items, leading her to leave the remaining pumpkins on the vines in the hope that they will hold out until September.
Storage risks on the vine
Leaving the produce in the field comes with practical risks for the farm.
While undamaged decorative pumpkins can last for three to four months or longer after being harvested, exposure to the elements increases the chance of skin damage, which quickly leads to mold and rot.
Harvesting them too soon is also problematic, as the stems tend to dry out and lose their visual appeal before buyers want them.
Current harvest focus
The early ripening has also surprised participants in the farm’s day-care programs, who usually spend the late summer months focused on other produce.
The facility is currently in the middle of its gherkin harvest, working in partnership with the famous Amsterdam pickling company Kesbeke.
Participants at the farm help grow, harvest, slice, and preserve the gherkins using jars and brine provided by the local producer, alongside making insect hotels and birdhouses in their workshops.
