After searing summer, UK pumpkin farm ready for Halloween
Farmer Charles Eckley inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. Picture taken October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
MAIDSTONE, England (Reuters) - A pick-your-own pumpkin patch boasting over 70 varieties in Kent, southeast England, is getting British families into the Halloween spirit.
Pumpkin farmer Charlie Eckley planted his seeds in May ready for an October harvest and this year's hot, dry summer only had a small impact on the size of this year's crop.
"The pumpkins have done really well but they are slightly smaller than normal," he said. "I grow four varieties of sweetcorn as well and they all failed totally this year."
A farmer carries a pumpkin through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
His 22-acre Pumpkin Moon site in Maidstone is now receiving families visiting to pick pumpkins and squash.
"I love Halloween, I love encouraging people out into the farm, into the countryside, to get out of the house. So it's not just my love of the actual pumpkins themselves. It's to get families out enjoying the countryside, getting fresh air, in a field," Eckley said.
A local visitor, Amy Thorne, came to the farm with her daughter Eva dressed as a skeleton.
Farmer Charles Eckley carries a pumpkin through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
"It's just nice to come down as a family, and they're really beautiful as well, the pumpkins, so yeah, nice to decorate the house, get in the spirit," Thorne said.
(Reporting by Helena Williams; Editing by William Schomberg and Alison Williams)
Farmer Charles Eckley carries a pumpkin through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley carries pumpkins in a wheelbarrow through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA farmer inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayPumpkins are seen in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley carries pumpkins in a wheelbarrow through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayPumpkins are seen in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley carries pumpkins in a wheelbarrow through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA farmer inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA farmer carries a pumpkin through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA pumpkin is seen in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA pumpkin is seen in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayPumpkins are seen in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA woman pushes a girl in a wheelbarrow through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley carries pumpkins in a wheelbarrow through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayPumpkins are seen in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayA girl carries a pumpkin through a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKayFarmer Charles Eckley inspects his pumpkin harvest in a field at Pumpkin Moon in Maidstone, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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