Top Sustainable Tips for Storing & Preserving Your Pumpkin
Looking for the best pumpkin picking experience in the South West? The Avon Valley Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch is now open for the 2025 season! Whether you’re planning a fun family day out, a date night with a difference, or an autumn adventure with friends, our pumpkin patch is the place to be.
Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch – Family Fun for All Ages
From now until 31st October, our award-winning pumpkin patch is bursting with thousands of homegrown pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and colours. Wander through the fields, find your perfect pumpkin, and capture those Instagram-worthy autumn photos against a stunning countryside backdrop. Our patch isn’t just about picking pumpkins—enjoy seasonal games, the ever-popular Apple Cannon, pumpkin paintball, and delicious food and drink stalls offering autumn treats.
Bring your four-legged friends along too—our patch is dog friendly! There are plenty of photo opportunities for the whole family (including your pup), and don’t miss out on our funfair rides and market area packed with unique squashes, gourds, and autumnal decorations.
Pumpkin Patch Nights – Magical After-Dark Experience
When the sun goes down, the patch lights up! Pumpkin Patch Nights at Avon Valley offer a truly magical autumn experience. Enjoy night-time pumpkin picking under twinkling lights, live music from local favourites, and the unforgettable Spirit of Pumpkin fire show. Warm up by the fire pits, savour street food and seasonal drinks, and soak up the atmosphere with friends or loved ones.
The ‘Pumpkin and Firkin’ bar will be open, serving a selection from Butcombe & Thatchers, and Passion & Smoke are back with their mouth-watering street food. The market area comes alive at night, with beautiful lighting and entertainment that sets the perfect autumn vibe.
Why Choose Avon Valley for Pumpkin Picking?
- The South West’s biggest pumpkin event
- 36 years of PYO experience from the Douglas family
- Award-winning—Best Event, Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2023
- Day and night sessions for all ages and interests
- Dog friendly and packed with photo spots
- Unique games, food, drinks, and live entertainment
Top Sustainable Tips for Storing Your Pumpkin
1. Keep It Cool and Dry
Store your pumpkin in a cool, dry place—think garage, shed, or a shady spot outside. Avoid direct sunlight and damp areas, as heat and moisture will speed up rotting.
2. Don’t Wash It (Yet)
Wait to wash your pumpkin until you’re ready to carve or display it. Keeping the skin dry helps it last longer.
3. Handle With Care
Pumpkins bruise easily! Carry them from the bottom, not by the stem, to avoid cracks and soft spots that can lead to early spoilage.
4. Check Regularly
Inspect your pumpkin every few days for soft spots or mold. Remove any pumpkins that start to rot to prevent others from spoiling.
How to Make Your Carved Pumpkin Last Longer
1. Clean Thoroughly Before Carving
Wash your pumpkin with a solution of water and white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) to help remove bacteria and mold spores. Dry it completely before carving. This is safer for wildlife and pets who might nibble on your pumpkin outdoors.
2. Scoop Out All the Guts
Remove as much pulp and seeds as possible. The drier and cleaner the inside, the longer your pumpkin will last.
3. Use Petroleum Jelly or Vegetable Oil
After carving, rub petroleum jelly or a little vegetable oil on the cut edges to lock in moisture and slow down shriveling.
4. Keep It Cool at Night
If possible, bring your carved pumpkin inside or into a cool shed overnight. This helps prevent mold and slows down decay.
5. Hydrate When Needed
If your pumpkin starts to shrivel, soak it in cold water for a few hours to rehydrate. Dry thoroughly before putting it back outside.
6. Compost When Done
When your pumpkin reaches the end of its life, don’t throw it in the bin! Chop it up and add it to your compost heap or place it in your food waste recycling. Pumpkins are great for the garden and wildlife.
Dates & Tickets
The Pumpkin Patch is open weekends from 27th September and daily during half term, right up to 31st October. Pumpkin Patch Nights run select evenings in October—check event listings for full dates and times.
Tickets sell out fast, so book yours now for the ultimate pumpkin picking experience!
Book Your Pumpkin Patch Adventure Today!
Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch – Info & Tickets
Pumpkin Patch Nights – Info & Tickets