Pumpkin patch debuting new grounds

After years of doing business on the corner of Henderson Avenue and Westwood Street, Changala’s pumpkin patch has relocated.

The new digs, located just down the road on West Olive Avenue and Redwood Street, sit on nearly 10 acres of land and now flaunt electricity, running water, a newly-built barn, and a corn maze that is twice as big as the former.

Owner Liz Changala said that although they were forced to move because the property was foreclosed on the owner and they were unable to re-sign the lease, they are, “in an even better situation.”

“We have tons more room, and we have pumpkins actually growing on this property,” Changala said.

This year, the Changalas planted over 30 acres of pumpkins with more than 30 varieties in three fields located in Porterville.

“We’ve been doing this for 19 years and I think this is the most acreage we’ve planted,” Changala said.

Planting of both pumpkins and corn begins in late June, early July, for the typically 90-day crops to be ready for the harvest by Oct. 1.

Changala called this year’s crop, “excellent.”

“It’s a beautiful crop. They’re perfect. Everything my husband has planted has come out pristine,” she said.

“The weather has been very good, the summer was very mild and pumpkins usually like the cooler environment to grow in.”

This year, the patch will feature a kid-friendly milo maze instead of hay, and for the first time in 10 years, people who want to buy a pumpkin will have the option to go into the field and pick it themselves, Changala said.

Prices for pumpkins range from .50 cents to $25, depending on the size.

The pumpkin patch will be open from 9 a.m. until dusk, Monday through Sunday, and will run through Oct. 31.

Starting Friday, Oct. 14, the corn maze will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Contact Denise Madrid at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or dmadrid@portervillerecorder.com.